Breast Cancer

Key facts

• Breast cancer develops when cells in the breast grow and divide out of control. It is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and men can develop it too, though far less often.
• The classic sign is a new lump in the breast or armpit, but a change in size or shape, skin dimpling, an inward-turning nipple, unusual discharge or a red, scaly patch of skin are also warning signs.
• Treatment combines surgery with drug therapy matched to the tumour type: hormone-blockers such as tamoxifen, anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane for hormone-driven cancers, everolimus added in some advanced cases, and capecitabine as an oral chemotherapy when the disease has spread.
• Age, family history and inherited gene changes raise the risk, alongside weight, alcohol and inactivity; regular screening and quick action on any change give the best outcome.

Spotting breast cancer early

The classic sign is a new lump in the breast or armpit, but the picture is wider than that. Watch for a change in breast size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin, a nipple that turns inward, discharge that is not milk, or a patch of skin that looks red, scaly or thickened. Most lumps turn out to be harmless, yet any change lasting more than a couple of weeks is worth getting checked. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel makes a new change easier to notice between screening visits.

How breast cancer is treated

Treatment is tailored to the type and stage of the cancer, usually combining surgery with one or more drug therapies. Many breast cancers are hormone-driven, so hormone-blocking medicines are a mainstay: tamoxifen for many premenopausal women, and aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane after menopause. Everolimus is added in some advanced hormone-positive cases, while capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy used once the disease has spread. These treatments work best alongside an oncology support team that monitors response and manages side effects.

Risk and what helps

Age, family history and inherited gene changes raise the odds, and so do factors you can influence: weight, alcohol and physical inactivity. Staying active, keeping a healthy weight and limiting alcohol each lower risk modestly. Just as important is attending screening when invited and acting quickly on any change you notice. Early detection remains the single biggest factor in how well treatment goes.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.