# 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 β€” NHS/WHO aligned. From a UK screening charity, not a cancer… ## Breast cancer symptoms, screening and how to check your breasts Home / About Breast Cancer Desk-assessed against NHS & WHO Breast cancer symptoms, screening and how to check your breasts In-depth guides on breast cancer symptoms, NHS breast screening and mammograms, Touch Look Check (TLC), treatment, survival rate context and life after cancer β€” desk-assessed against NHS and WHO guidance. Published by a UK breast cancer screening charity, not a cancer research charity. Who this hub is not for: anyone needing urgent personal medical advice β€” contact your GP for breast cancer symptoms that worry you. Donors seeking laboratory cancer research should give to a research charity instead. πŸŽ—οΈ 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 β€” and caught early, it is highly treatable. Read guide β†’ πŸ” Breast Cancer Symptoms β€” Lumps, Signs and What to Check Knowing the warning signs of breast cancer can save your life. The NHS recommends the Touch–Look–Check (TLC) approach to staying breast aware. Read guide β†’ ⚠️ Breast Cancer Causes and Risk Factors Breast cancer has no single cause. Risk is shaped by a combination of factors β€” some unavoidable, some within your control. Read guide β†’ πŸ”¬ Types of Breast Cancer Explained Breast cancer is not a single disease. There are several distinct types, each with different characteristics, treatment approaches and prognoses. Read guide β†’ πŸ“Š Breast Cancer Stages and Grades Staging describes how far breast cancer has spread; grading describes how abnormal the cancer cells look. Both inform treatment decisions and outlook. Read guide β†’ πŸ₯ How Breast Cancer is Diagnosed Diagnosing breast cancer involves physical examination, imaging and a tissue biopsy β€” a process called triple assessment that is usually completed within the NHS two-week-wait pathway. Read guide β†’ πŸ’Š Breast Cancer Treatment Options Breast cancer treatment is tailored to each individual. Most people have a combination of treatments decided by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Read guide β†’ πŸ“· NHS Breast Screening β€” What Age Does It Start, Who Is Invited and What to Expect 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. Read guide β†’ 🀲 Breast Self-Examination β€” the TLC Method Regular breast self-examination helps you become familiar with your normal so you can spot changes early. There is no single right way β€” the goal is consistency. Read guide β†’ πŸ‘© Breast Cancer in Your 20s, 30s and Under 50 β€” What Young Women Need to Know Although breast cancer is more common after 50, around 20% of cases in the UK occur in women under 50. Cancers in younger women may behave differently and need careful specialist management. Read guide β†’ πŸ”„ Secondary (Metastatic) Breast Cancer Secondary breast cancer occurs when cancer cells travel from the original tumour to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Read guide β†’ πŸ‘¨ Breast Cancer in Men Breast cancer in men is rare β€” less than 1% of all UK cases β€” but it does occur. All men have breast tissue and can develop breast cancer at any age. Read guide β†’ 🌱 Life After Breast Cancer Treatment Completing breast cancer treatment is a milestone, but survivorship brings its own challenges β€” physical, emotional and practical. You are not alone. Read guide β†’ πŸ›‘οΈ Preventing Breast Cancer β€” What the Evidence Says No approach can guarantee prevention of breast cancer, but a number of lifestyle changes β€” and medical interventions for high-risk individuals β€” can meaningfully reduce your risk. Read guide β†’ πŸ”΅ DCIS β€” Ductal Carcinoma In Situ DCIS is Stage 0 β€” 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. Read guide β†’ 🧬 Breast Cancer Genes, BRCA and Family History Inherited gene mutations account for 5–10% of all breast cancers. The most significant are BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 β€” testing is available on the NHS for those at high risk. Read guide β†’ βš•οΈ Breast Cancer Surgery β€” Your Options Explained 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. Read guide β†’ ⚑ Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by what it lacks β€” ER, PR and HER2 receptors. This means standard hormone and targeted therapies do not work, but new treatments are improving outcomes. Read guide β†’ πŸ”΄ Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but aggressive form that blocks lymph vessels in the skin, causing breast redness, swelling and warmth β€” without a lump. Read guide β†’ πŸ“ˆ Breast Cancer Statistics β€” UK and Worldwide 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. Read guide β†’ 🌸 Breast Cancer in South Asian Women South Asian women in the UK have lower breast cancer incidence than white British women β€” but are significantly less likely to attend screening and more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. Read guide β†’ πŸ“Š Breast Cancer Survival Rates by Stage 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. Read guide β†’ 🧬 HRT and Breast Cancer Risk HRT slightly increases breast cancer risk for some types β€” 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. Read guide β†’ πŸ” Breast Cancer Recurrence β€” Risk, Signs and Prevention Breast cancer can return β€” locally, regionally or as distant metastases. Understanding your personal risk, completing recommended hormone therapy, staying alert to new symptoms and attending follow-up appointments all significantly reduce recurrence risk. Read guide β†’ πŸ“‹ Dense Breasts and Breast Cancer Risk 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. Read guide β†’ 🀰 Breast Cancer and Pregnancy Breast cancer diagnosed during or shortly after pregnancy is uncommon but not rare. Modern treatment, carefully adapted, can be safe for both mother and baby β€” and most women who have had breast cancer can go on to have healthy pregnancies afterwards. Read guide β†’ 🧬 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 β€” five-year survival for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer now exceeds 90%. Read guide β†’ 🎯 Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Breast Cancer: How They Work and Who They Help 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. Read guide β†’ 🦴 Bone Health After Breast Cancer: Protecting Your Bones During and After Treatment Some breast cancer treatments, especially aromatase inhibitors and an early menopause, can thin the bones and raise the risk of fractures. The good news is that this can be checked with a simple scan and protected with exercise, diet and, if needed, bone-strengthening medicines. Read guide β†’ 🦴 Bone Metastases in Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Secondary (metastatic) breast cancer in the bones means breast cancer cel ## Frequently asked questions ### What are the first signs of breast cancer? The most common first sign is a new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit. Other signs include changes in size or shape, skin dimpling or puckering, nipple changes (discharge, inversion, or rash), and new persistent breast pain. See your GP promptly if you notice any change β€” most breast changes are not cancer, but only a doctor can confirm this. ### What is the survival rate for breast cancer? In the UK, the overall five-year breast cancer survival rate is almost 90% β€” one of the highest in the world. At Stage 1, it is almost 100%. At Stage 4, more than 30%. In low-income countries without screening programmes, overall survival rates can be below 40%, which is why early detection access is so critical. ### What causes breast cancer? Breast cancer is caused by DNA mutations in breast cells that lead to uncontrolled growth. The main risk factors are age (most cases in women over 50), being female, family history, inherited gene mutations (BRCA1/BRCA2/PALB2), dense breast tissue, alcohol consumption, obesity after menopause, and certain hormone factors. Around 5–10% of cases are hereditary. ### How is breast cancer diagnosed? Diagnosis involves triple assessment: a clinical examination, imaging (mammogram and/or ultrasound), and a needle biopsy if required. In the UK, you are referred under the NHS two-week-wait pathway and should see a breast specialist within 14 days of your GP referring you. ### Can breast cancer be prevented? There is no guaranteed prevention, but lifestyle changes can reduce risk: maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, being physically active, and breastfeeding if possible. For women at high genetic risk, preventive drug therapies and, in some cases, risk-reducing surgery are available. Regular screening remains the most effective way to detect cancer at an early, treatable stage. --- Breast Cancer Charity β€” an initiative of World Aid Network. Donate: breastcancer-charity.org/donate