About Breast Cancer
27 in-depth guides covering every aspect of breast cancer — symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, screening, genetics and life after cancer. Written by our editorial team and reviewed against NHS and WHO guidelines, with sources cited on every page.
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.
Read guide →Breast Cancer Symptoms — 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 →Breast Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
Breast cancer has no single cause. Risk is shaped by a combination of factors — some unavoidable, some within your control.
Read guide →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 →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 →How Breast Cancer is Diagnosed
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.
Read guide →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 →NHS Breast Screening — 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 →Breast Self-Examination — 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 — the goal is consistency.
Read guide →Breast Cancer in Your 20s, 30s and Under 50 — 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 →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 →Breast Cancer in Men
Breast cancer in men is rare — less than 1% of all UK cases — but it does occur. All men have breast tissue and can develop breast cancer at any age.
Read guide →Life After Breast Cancer Treatment
Completing breast cancer treatment is a milestone, but survivorship brings its own challenges — physical, emotional and practical. You are not alone.
Read guide →Preventing Breast Cancer — What the Evidence Says
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.
Read guide →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.
Read guide →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 — testing is available on the NHS for those at high risk.
Read guide →Breast Cancer Surgery — 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 →Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
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.
Read guide →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 — without a lump.
Read guide →Breast Cancer Statistics — 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 →Breast Cancer in South Asian Women
South Asian women in the UK have lower breast cancer incidence than white British women — but are significantly less likely to attend screening and more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Read guide →Breast Cancer Survival Rates by Stage
Survival rates for breast cancer vary dramatically by stage. In the UK, Stage I has around 98% five-year survival; Stage IV around 26%. Understanding these figures helps women make sense of their diagnosis.
Read guide →HRT and Breast Cancer Risk
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.
Read guide →Breast Cancer Recurrence — Risk, Signs and Prevention
Breast cancer can return — 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 →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 →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 — and most women who have had breast cancer can go on to have healthy pregnancies afterwards.
Read guide →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%.
Read guide →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 →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 →Bone Metastases in Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Secondary (metastatic) breast cancer in the bones means breast cancer cells have spread to the bone. It cannot usually be cured, but treatments can control it well, ease pain and protect the bones for a long time. This guide explains the symptoms, how it is diagnosed and the main treatments.
Read guide →Brain Metastases in Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Secondary breast cancer in the brain means breast cancer cells have spread to the brain. It cannot usually be cured, but treatments such as steroids, radiotherapy, surgery and drugs can control symptoms and help you live as well as possible. This guide explains the signs to look out for, how it is diagnosed and the main treatments.
Read guide →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.
Read guide →Breast Cancer Follow-Up and Surveillance After Treatment
After breast cancer treatment, you have regular check-ups and surveillance mammograms to look for any signs of the cancer returning. This guide explains how often these happen, how long they go on for, what is checked, and which changes to report between visits.
Read guide →Breast Cancer in LGBTQ+ People
Breast cancer can affect anyone with breast tissue, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary people. This guide explains the risk factors, how NHS screening works depending on how you are registered with your GP, considerations for trans and non-binary people, and how to find welcoming, inclusive support.
Read guide →Breast Cancer in Older Women (70 and Over)
Breast cancer is most common in older women, yet many stop being screened and worry their age rules out treatment. This guide explains screening after 70, how treatment decisions are made on fitness rather than age, and why older women deserve the same chance of effective care.
Read guide →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.
Read guide →Cancer-Related Fatigue After Breast Cancer Treatment
Cancer-related fatigue is an overwhelming tiredness that is not relieved by rest and is different from everyday tiredness. This guide explains what causes it, how long it can last after breast cancer treatment, and practical, evidence-based ways to manage it.
Read guide →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.
Read guide →Chemo Brain: Cancer-Related Cognitive Changes Explained
Chemo brain describes the memory, concentration and thinking changes that some people notice during and after breast cancer treatment. This guide explains why it happens, how long it can last, and practical, evidence-based ways to cope.
Read guide →Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Numbness, Tingling and Nerve Pain
Some chemotherapy drugs, especially taxanes, can damage the small nerves in your hands and feet. This can cause numbness, tingling or pain, often called peripheral neuropathy. It usually eases once treatment ends, and there are practical ways to cope in the meantime.
Read guide →Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects: A Practical Guide
Chemotherapy can cause side effects such as nausea, hair loss, mouth sores, a higher risk of infection and fatigue. This guide explains gentle, practical ways to manage them, and the red-flag symptoms that mean you should contact your team straight away.
Read guide →Fear of Breast Cancer Recurrence: Coping With Worry After Treatment
Worrying that breast cancer might come back is one of the most common feelings after treatment. This guide explains why the fear is normal, how to tell real warning signs from health anxiety, and the evidence-based ways and support services that can help.
Read guide →Hormone Therapy Side Effects: How to Cope With Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors
Hormone (endocrine) therapy lowers the chance of breast cancer coming back, but tablets like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors can cause side effects such as hot flushes, joint pain and vaginal dryness. This guide explains why treatment lasts years and how to manage the effects so you can keep going.
Read guide →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.
Read guide →Local and Chest-Wall Recurrence After Breast Cancer Surgery
Local or regional recurrence means breast cancer has come back in or near the area first treated, such as the chest wall, scar or nearby lymph nodes. It is different from secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, and is often still treatable.
Read guide →Lymphoedema After Breast Cancer: Prevention and Management
Lymphoedema is long-term swelling that can follow surgery or radiotherapy to the lymph nodes. This guide explains the risk, early signs, and the simple steps that help prevent and manage it.
Read guide →Mammogram Limitations and Accuracy: How Reliable Is Breast Screening?
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.
Read guide →Paget's Disease of the Breast: Nipple Changes, Diagnosis and 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.
Read guide →Palliative and Supportive Care in Breast Cancer
Palliative care helps you live as well as possible by easing symptoms and supporting you alongside breast cancer treatment. It is not only for the end of life and can start soon after diagnosis.
Read guide →Radiotherapy Side Effects: Skin, Heart and What to Expect
Breast radiotherapy uses targeted radiation to lower the risk of cancer coming back. Most side effects, like a sore or red treatment area and tiredness, are short-term and settle within weeks. This guide explains what to expect, how to look after your skin, and when to seek help.
Read guide →Sex and Intimacy After Breast Cancer: Coping With Changes to Your Body and Relationships
Breast cancer and its treatments can change how you feel about your body, your sex life and closeness with a partner. This guide explains the common physical and emotional changes and the practical things, from moisturisers to honest conversations, that can help.
Read guide →Treatment-Induced Menopause: Symptoms and How to Manage Them
Some breast cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, ovarian suppression and hormone therapy, can bring on the menopause early or cause menopause-like symptoms. This guide explains why it happens and the practical, non-hormonal ways to feel better, as HRT is usually avoided after breast cancer.
Read guide →The essentials
Understanding breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, with approximately 2.3 million new cases each year (WHO, 2022). It occurs when cells in the breast tissue grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour that can — in some cases — spread to other parts of the body.
The most important fact about breast cancer is that outcomes are determined primarily by how early it is detected. The NHS five-year survival rate for breast cancer found at Stage 1 is approximately 98%. For cancer detected at Stage 4, it is around 26%. This dramatic difference in survival is not primarily explained by different biology — it is explained by different timing.
In the UK, the NHS Breast Screening Programme invites all women aged 50–71 for a mammogram every three years, and widespread public health education means most women know to see their GP if they notice a breast change. The result is that the majority of UK breast cancer cases are found at an early, treatable stage.
In the low-income communities where Breast Cancer Charity works — across South and South-East Asia — no equivalent screening infrastructure exists. Most women have never had a breast examination. Health literacy about breast cancer symptoms is low. Cultural barriers to discussing the female body compound the problem. By the time most women in these communities reach a hospital, the cancer has already advanced significantly.
This disparity — an 85% UK survival rate versus around 40% in low-income countries — is not a medical problem. It is a structural one. And structural problems can be solved with the right resources, in the right communities, delivered by the right people.
Frequently asked questions
Breast cancer, answered
What are the first signs of breast cancer?
What is the survival rate for breast cancer?
What causes breast cancer?
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Can breast cancer be prevented?
All clinical content on this page is written by our editorial team and reviewed against NHS (www.nhs.uk) and World Health Organization (www.who.int) guidance. This content is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance.
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