# Breast Cancer Symptoms, Screening & Guides | Charity > Source: https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/ > Breast cancer symptoms, Touch Look Check, NHS breast screening, treatment and survival guides — NHS/WHO aligned. From a UK screening charity, not a… Desk-assessed against NHS & WHO ## Quick answer 56 in-depth guides on breast cancer symptoms, NHS screening, Touch Look Check, treatment and life after cancer — desk-assessed against NHS and WHO guidance. Breast Cancer Charity is a UK screening and treatment-access charity, not a cancer research charity and not a UK helpline. **Who this hub is not for:** anyone needing urgent personal medical advice — contact your GP, or NHS 111. Breast Cancer Charity is not a UK helpline — see [Breast Cancer Support](https://breastcancer-charity.org/breast-cancer-support/). Donors seeking laboratory cancer research should give to a research charity instead. [If you need a person, not a guide ### Breast Cancer Support Free UK helplines, NHS breast care nurses and practical help. We signpost — we do not run a helpline.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/breast-cancer-support/) ## What should I read if I am worried right now? Start with symptoms, how to check your breasts, and what diagnosis involves. If you are supporting someone else, use that guide plus the Breast Cancer Support directory. See a GP about any new breast change — do not wait for a screening invitation. [🔍 ### What are the symptoms of breast cancer? Knowing the warning signs of breast cancer can save your life. The NHS recommends the Touch–Look–Check (TLC) approach to staying breast aware.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-symptoms/)[🤲 ### How do I check my breasts for cancer? Regular breast self-examination helps you become familiar with your normal so you can spot changes early. There is no single right way — the goal is consistency.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-self-examination/)[🏥 ### How is breast cancer diagnosed on the NHS? Diagnosing breast cancer involves physical examination, imaging and a tissue biopsy — a process called triple assessment that is usually completed within the NHS two-week-wait pathway.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-diagnosis/)[🌸 ### How do I support someone with breast cancer? When a friend or family member is diagnosed with breast cancer, knowing what to say and offering practical, specific help can make a profound difference.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/supporting-someone-with-breast-cancer/) ## What should I know about breast cancer, screening and treatment? These guides cover what breast cancer is, NHS screening and mammograms, types and stages, surgery, drugs and the evidence on prevention — desk-assessed against NHS and WHO guidance. They are not a substitute for your own clinical team. [🎗️ ### What is breast cancer? Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow uncontrollably. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide — and caught early, it is highly treatable.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/)[📷 ### Who should get breast cancer screening and when? The NHS invites all women aged 50–71 for a free mammogram every three years. Attending your screening appointment can detect cancer before you have any symptoms.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-screening/)[🩻 ### How accurate is a mammogram? Mammograms are the best tool we have for finding breast cancer early, but no test is perfect. This guide explains what mammograms can and cannot do, so you can make a screening choice that feels right for you.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/mammogram-limitations-and-accuracy/)[🧲 ### Breast MRI Screening: When Is It Recommended? Breast MRI is a detailed scan offered on the NHS to women at high risk of breast cancer, often alongside or instead of mammograms. This guide explains who it is for, at what ages, and why it is used.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-mri-screening-when-recommended/)[⚠️ ### What causes breast cancer and who is at risk? Breast cancer has no single cause. Risk is shaped by a combination of factors — some unavoidable, some within your control.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-causes-and-risk-factors/)[🔬 ### What are the different types of breast cancer? Breast cancer is not a single disease. There are several distinct types, each with different characteristics, treatment approaches and prognoses.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/)[📊 ### What do the stages of breast cancer mean? Staging describes how far breast cancer has spread; grading describes how abnormal the cancer cells look. Both inform treatment decisions and outlook.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-stages/)[💊 ### What treatments are used for breast cancer? Breast cancer treatment is tailored to each individual. Most people have a combination of treatments decided by a multidisciplinary team (MDT).](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-treatment/)[⚕️ ### What surgery is used to treat breast cancer? Surgery is the cornerstone of breast cancer treatment for most people. The main choices are breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) and mastectomy, with or without reconstruction.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-surgery/)[⚡ ### What should I know about radiotherapy for Breast Cancer: Side Effects & NHS Guide? Radiotherapy uses targeted high-energy X-rays to destroy any cancer cells that may remain in the breast, chest wall, or armpit after surgery, reducing the risk of recurrence.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-radiotherapy/)[🩺 ### What should I know about breast Reconstruction Options: Mastectomy & NHS Pathways? Breast reconstruction creates a new breast shape after surgery. NHS guidelines ensure women having a mastectomy are offered the choice of reconstruction, either at the same time or later.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-options/)[🧬 ### Is breast cancer hereditary? Inherited gene mutations account for 5–10% of all breast cancers. The most significant are BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 — testing is available on the NHS for those at high risk.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-genes-and-family-history/)[🔵 ### What is DCIS — ductal carcinoma in situ? DCIS is Stage 0 — abnormal cells inside the milk ducts that have not broken through the duct wall. It is not yet invasive cancer, but treatment is usually recommended.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/dcis/)[⚡ ### What is triple-negative breast cancer? Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by what it lacks — ER, PR and HER2 receptors. This means standard hormone and targeted therapies do not work, but new treatments are improving outcomes.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/triple-negative-breast-cancer/)[🔴 ### What is inflammatory breast cancer? Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but aggressive form that blocks lymph vessels in the skin, causing breast redness, swelling and warmth — without a lump.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/inflammatory-breast-cancer/)[🧬 ### What is HER2-positive breast cancer? HER2-positive breast cancer is defined by excess HER2 protein that drives cancer cell growth. Targeted therapies including trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab have dramatically improved survival — five-year survival for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer now exceeds 90%.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/her2-positive-breast-cancer/)[🎗️ ### What should I know about Paget's Disease of the Breast: Symptoms & Treatment? Paget's disease of the breast (also called Paget's disease of the nipple) is a rare condition that causes a red, scaly rash on the nipple and is usually linked to breast cancer. It can look like eczema, so any lasting nipple change should be checked by a GP.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/pagets-disease-of-the-breast/)[🎯 ### What are antibody-drug conjugates for breast cancer? Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a newer kind of breast cancer treatment that carries a chemotherapy drug straight to cancer cells, a bit like a guided parcel. This guide explains how they work, who they may help, their side effects and where they stand on the NHS in the UK.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/antibody-drug-conjugates-breast-cancer/)[💊 ### What should I know about CDK4/6 Inhibitors for Breast Cancer: How They Work, Side Effects and UK Availability? CDK4/6 inhibitors are targeted tablets that slow down breast cancer cells. They are mainly used with hormone therapy for hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. This guide explains how they work, their side effects and how to get them on the NHS.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/cdk46-inhibitors-breast-cancer/)[🛡️ ### What should I know about immunotherapy for Breast Cancer: How It Works and Who It Helps? Immunotherapy uses your own immune system to help fight breast cancer. In the UK it is mainly used for triple-negative breast cancer. This guide explains how it works, who it can help, the possible side effects, and the current NHS and NICE position.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/immunotherapy-for-breast-cancer/)[📋 ### What does it mean to have dense breasts? Dense breast tissue affects around 40% of women and has two important implications: it makes mammograms harder to read, and it independently raises breast cancer risk. The NHS does not routinely notify women of their density after screening.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/dense-breasts-and-breast-cancer/)[🧬 ### Does HRT increase the risk of breast cancer? HRT slightly increases breast cancer risk for some types — but the absolute increase is small and varies by HRT type and duration. For most women under 60 with menopausal symptoms, NHS and NICE guidance indicates the benefits outweigh the risk.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-and-hrt/)[🛡️ ### How can I reduce my risk of breast cancer? No approach can guarantee prevention of breast cancer, but a number of lifestyle changes — and medical interventions for high-risk individuals — can meaningfully reduce your risk.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-prevention/)[📈 ### What are the latest breast cancer statistics? Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. The statistics reveal both extraordinary progress in high-income countries and a persistent crisis in low-income ones.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-statistics/)[📊 ### What are the survival rates for breast cancer in the UK? Survival rates for breast cancer vary dramatically by stage. In the UK, Stage I has almost 100% five-year survival; Stage IV more than 30%. Understanding these figures helps women make sense of their diagnosis.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-survival-statistics/)[🤝 ### What should I know about breast Cancer Disparities and Ethnicity: Why Outcomes Differ and What Helps? Breast cancer does not affect every community in the same way. This guide explains the differences in how often breast cancer is found, how early it is diagnosed and how well people do across different ethnic groups in the UK, the reasons behind the gaps, and the practical things that help close them.](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-disparities-and-ethnicity/) ## What is it like living with breast cancer? Side effects, follow-up, recurrence, fertility, men, younger women, secondary disease and practical recovery. For helplines and money advice, use Breast Cancer Support rather than our office number. [👩 ### Can young women get breast cancer? Although bre --- Breast Cancer Charity — an initiative of World Aid Network. Donate: https://breastcancer-charity.org/donate/