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Summary
Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lives. No one knows why some women get breast cancer, but there are many risk factors. Risks that you cannot change include
- Age - the risk rises as you get older
- Genes - two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, greatly increase the risk. Women who have family members with breast or ovarian cancer may wish to be tested for the genes.
- Personal factors - beginning periods before age 12 or going through menopause after age 55
Other risks include obesity, using hormone replacement therapy (also called menopausal hormone therapy), taking birth control pills, drinking alcohol, not having children or having your first child after age 35, and having dense breasts.
Symptoms of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in size or shape of the breast, and discharge from a nipple. Breast self-exams and mammography can help find breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. One possible treatment is surgery. It could be a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. Other treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Men can have breast cancer, too, but it is rare.
NIH: National Cancer Institute
Diagnosis and Tests
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BRCA Test
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
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Breast Biopsy
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Breast Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis (American Cancer Society)
- Breast Exam (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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HER2 (Breast Cancer) Testing
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Lymphoscintigraphy (American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- MRI of the Breast (American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Needle Biopsy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Nipple Aspirate Test Is Not An Alternative To Mammography (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
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PDL1 (Immunotherapy) Tests
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
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PTEN Genetic Test
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing for BRCA-Related Cancer in Women (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) - PDF
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Stages of Breast Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
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TP53 Genetic Test
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
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Tumor Marker Tests
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Ultrasound - Breast (American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
-
Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Your Pathology Report (Living Beyond Breast Cancer)
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Aromatase Inhibitors and Other Compounds for Lowering Breast Cancer Risk (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
-
Breast Cancer Prevention
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Get Moving to Help Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer (American Cancer Society)
-
Mammography: MedlinePlus Health Topic
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Medications for the Risk Reduction of Primary Breast Cancer in Women (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) - PDF
- Prophylactic Oophorectomy: Preventing Cancer by Surgically Removing Your Ovaries (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
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Surgery to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
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Breast Cancer Treatment
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Complementary and Integrative Therapies (Susan G. Komen for the Cure) - PDF
-
Drugs Approved for Breast Cancer
(National Cancer Institute)
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Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
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Mastectomy: MedlinePlus Health Topic
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
-
Surgery Choices for Women with DCIS or Breast Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) - PDF
- Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer (Beyond the Basics) (UpToDate)
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Treatment Option Overview (Breast Cancer)
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
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Treatment Options for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Living With
- Coping with a Breast Cancer Diagnosis (Susan G. Komen for the Cure) - PDF
-
Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Follow up Care for Breast Cancer Treatment (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
- Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer: Psychological and Social Impact (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Insomnia and Fatigue (Living Beyond Breast Cancer)
- Life After Breast Cancer Treatment (Susan G. Komen for the Cure) - PDF
Related Issues
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Abortion, Miscarriage, and Breast Cancer Risk
(National Cancer Institute)
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Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Axillary Lymph Nodes and Breast Cancer (Susan G. Komen for the Cure) - PDF
- Breast Cancer and Bone Loss (Hormone Health Network)
- Breast Cancer and Women with Disabilities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Breast Cancer in Young Women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Cancer Treatment for Women: Possible Sexual Side Effects (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
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Dense Breasts: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
(National Cancer Institute)
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Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- How Does Breast Cancer Start? (American Cancer Society)
- How Will Cancer Affect My Sex Life? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
-
Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
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Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Questions to Ask Your Doctor (Metastatic Breast Cancer Network)
-
Reproductive History and Breast Cancer Risk
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
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Risks of Breast Cancer Screening
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
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What Breast Cancer Survivors Need to Know about Osteoporosis
(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
Specifics
- Breast Cancer Overview (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Guide to Understanding Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (Living Beyond Breast Cancer) - PDF
- HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: What Is It? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
-
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
-
Paget Disease of the Breast
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Recurrent Breast Cancer (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Understanding a Breast Cancer Diagnosis (American Cancer Society)
Genetics
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - PDF
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BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Family History Risk Categories (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Does Breast or Ovarian Cancer Run in Your Family? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Genetic Counseling and Evaluation for BRCA1/2 Testing (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
-
Genetics Home Reference: breast cancer
(National Library of Medicine)
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Genetics Home Reference: Li-Fraumeni syndrome
(National Library of Medicine)
-
Learning about Breast Cancer
(National Human Genome Research Institute)
Videos and Tutorials
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Following a Tissue Sample
(College of American Pathologists)
-
Lymphatics and the breast
(Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
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Cancer Statistics: Cancer of the Breast (Female)
(National Cancer Institute)
- CDC Vital Signs: Breast Cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Changes Over Time: Female Breast Cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- New Cancer Rates by Sex, Race and Ethnicities: Female Breast (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Rate of New Cancers in the United States: Female Breast by State (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
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Sister Study: A Study of the Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
(National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
- Study: Newly Identified Genes Linked with Higher Risk for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (American Cancer Society)
- What's New in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Breast Neoplasms
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Epidemiologic analysis of breast cancer incidence, prevalence, and mortality in...
- Article: Effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the depth of total intravenous...
- Article: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha expression correlates with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy...
- Breast Cancer -- see more articles
- Genetics of Breast Cancer -- see more articles
- Paget's Disease of Breast -- see more articles
Reference Desk
- Breast Cancer Types: What Your Type Means (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
-
Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Find an Expert
- American Cancer Society
- Find a Cancer Doctor (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Find a Radiation Oncologist (American Society for Radiation Oncology)
- National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find a Screening Provider Near You (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
-
National Cancer Institute
Also in Spanish
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Organizations That Offer Support Services
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Children
- Breast Cancer (For Kids) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- Should I Do a Breast Self-Exam? (For Teens) (Nemours Foundation)
Men
-
Male Breast Cancer: MedlinePlus Health Topic
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Seniors
- After Some Breast Cancer Treatments, Risk for Other Health Conditions May Rise (Living Beyond Breast Cancer)
Patient Handouts
- After chemotherapy - discharge (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Breast biopsy -- stereotactic (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Breast biopsy -- ultrasound (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Breast cancer (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Breast cancer staging (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Breast lump (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Breast self exam (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Hormone therapy for breast cancer (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
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Understanding Chemotherapy
(National Cancer Institute) - PDF Also in Spanish
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What to Know about Brachytherapy (A Type of Internal Radiation Therapy)
(National Cancer Institute) - PDF Also in Spanish
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What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy
(National Cancer Institute) - PDF Also in Spanish