Breast Cancer

“As with many other diseases, your risk of breast cancer
goes up as you get older. About two out of three
invasive breast cancers are found in women 55 or older”.1

Umbrella
What may the Breast Cancer Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Breast Cancer
  • Cancer of the Breast
  • Ductal Carcinoma

Definition

What is breast cancer?

DotS the definition of breast cancer may vary. The (United States) National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) definition:

“Breast Cancer
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast”.2

The (United States) Breastcancer.org’s definition is:

“Breast cancer starts in the breast tissue when mutated cells grow out of control, eventually creating a mass, or tumor”.3

Types

What are common types of breast cancer?

The NCI explain:

“The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts (thin tubes that carry milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple). Another type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to surrounding normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare”.4

Common or Not

How common is breast cancer?

According to the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF) “… (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) in 2020, the latest year available”5, in Worldwide Cancer Data: Global Cancer Statistics for the Most Common Cancers – Global Cancer Incidence In Women the WCRF state:

  • “Breast cancer was the most common cancer in women worldwide, contributing 25.8% of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2020”.6

In the United States according to the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

“Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States (some kinds of skin cancer are the most common). Black women die from breast cancer at a higher rate than White women”.7

In the United Kingdom according to the (United Kingdom) NHS:

“Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer”.8

Risk Factors

In women, what are risk factors for breast cancer?

In Breast Cancer Risk Factors Breastcancer.org elaborate on established and emerging breast cancer risk factors explaining:

“Everyone wants to know what they can do to lower their breast cancer risk. Although doctors don’t know what causes breast cancer, they do know there are factors linked to a higher-than average risk of developing the disease. Some of the factors associated with an increase in breast cancer risk — being a woman, your age, and your genetics, for example — can’t be changed. Other factors — lack of exercise, smoking cigarettes, and eating certain foods — can be changed by making lifestyle choices”.9

In Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: General Information About Breast Cancer — A Family History of Breast Cancer and Other Factors Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer the NCI elaborate on these and more risk factors for breast cancer:

“Risk factors for breast cancer include the following:

  • A personal history of invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
  • A personal history of benign (noncancer) breast disease
  • A family history of breast cancer in a first-degree relative (mother, daughter, or sister)
  • Inherited changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes or in other genes that increase the risk of breast cancer
  • Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram
  • Exposure of breast tissue to estrogen made by the body. This may be caused by:
    • Menstruating at an early age
    • Older age at first birth or never having given birth
    • Starting menopause at a later age
  • Taking hormones such as estrogen combined with progestin for symptoms of menopause
  • Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Obesity.

Older age is the main risk factor for most cancers. The chance of getting cancer increases as you get older”.10

Age

In women, is age a risk factor for breast cancer?

In Know Your Risk: Breast Cancer Risk Factors – Age Breastcancer.org also note:

Breast Cancer“As with many other diseases, your risk of breast cancer goes up as you get older. About two out of three invasive breast cancers are found in women 55 or older”.11

Hormone Therapy

What does the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain about hormone therapy (HT) and breast cancer risk?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks the NAMS explain:

“Hormone therapy (combined estrogen and progestogen) might slightly increase your risk of breast cancer if used for more than 4 to 5 years. Using estrogen alone (for women without a uterus) does not increase breast cancer risk at 7 years but may increase risk if used for a longer time”.12

On page three in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

“A history of breast cancer should be considered a contraindication to systemic HRT. The risk of breast cancer recurrence with HRT is higher in women with oestrogen receptor positive cancer, but women with oestrogen receptor negative breast cancer are also considered to have an increased risk of recurrence with HRT. HRT may, in exceptional cases, be offered to women with breast cancer with severe menopausal symptoms if lifestyle modifications and non-hormonal treatment options are not effective. This should be done after discussion with the woman, her menopause specialist and her breast/oncology team”.13

Alcohol

Is there an association between alcohol and breast cancer?

In Awareness Remains Low Over Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk the JH note:

“More than 100 studies have proven it – drinking alcohol increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Alcohol is thought to be the cause of between 5% to 11% of all breast cancer cases. However, awareness of the link between alcohol and breast cancer remains relatively low”.14

Bone Health

Is there an association between bone health and breast cancer?

In Breast Cancer & Bone Health according to the JH:

“Women who have had breast cancer may be at increased risk of developing osteoporosis: the loss of bone strength, making bones more fragile and prone to fracture.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you should ask your doctor to check your bone health, especially if you have other risk factors for osteoporosis such as a family history, low calcium intake and/or low vitamin D levels”.15

Men

Can men get breast cancer?

Yes. In Male Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: Overview – General Information About Male Breast Cancer the NCI note in the U.S.:

“Male breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.

Breast cancer may occur in men. Breast cancer may occur in men at any age, but it usually occurs in men between 60 and 70 years of age. Male breast cancer makes up less than 1% of all cases of breast cancer”.16

Health Care Provider

What if I notice changes with my breasts?

If you notice any changes with your breasts, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to you health care provider about this as soon as possible.

In About Your Breasts the JH explain:

“When To See Your Doctor

It is important to know your own breasts so you can tell if any changes occur.

You should see your doctor about:

  • New lumps
  • New lumpiness
  • Changes in the shape of your breast
  • Changes in the colour of your breast
  • Changes in the nipple
  • Discharge from the nipple
  • Puckering or dimpling of breast skin
  • Any persistent breast pain
  • Any persistent nipple or breast itching or rash”.17

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Breast Cancer?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Breast Cancer?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. About Breast Cancer
  2. About Breast Cancer
  3. Are You At Risk of Breast Cancer?
  4. BRCA Gene Test for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk
  5. Bcna.org.au [Breast Cancer Network, Australia]
  6. Breast Cancer
  7. Breast Cancer
  8. Breast Cancer
  9. Breast Cancer
  10. Breast Cancer
  11. Breast Cancer
  12. Breast Cancer
  13. Breast Cancer [How Diet, Nutrition and Physical Activity Affect Breast Cancer Risk]
  14. Breast Cancer At the Menopause
  15. Breast Cancer Awareness
  16. Breast Cancer Awareness [+ Video: What Does It Mean To Have Dense Breasts?]
  17. Breast Cancer Myths vs. Facts
  18. Breast Cancer Prevention (PDQ)–Patient Version
  19. Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk
  20. Breast Cancer Prevention: How To Reduce Your Risk
  21. Breast Cancer Risk Factors
  22. Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms
  23. Breast Cancer Symptoms: What You Need To Know
  24. Breast Cancer and Bone Loss
  25. Breast Cancer: Diagnosis & Treatment [+ Video]
  26. Breast Cancer: Symptoms & Causes [+ Video]
  27. Breast Cancer: What Does it Mean To Have Dense Breasts?
  28. Breast Cancer: What Is Breast Cancer? [+ Images]
  29. Breast Cancer: What You Can Do
  30. Breast Cancer–Patient Version
  31. Breast Changes and Conditions
  32. Breast Cysts
  33. Breast Lump: Early Evaluation Is Essential
  34. Breast Pain
  35. Breast Rashes
  36. Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy
  37. Breastcancer.org [United States]
  38. Breastcancercare.org.uk [Breast Cancer Care, United Kingdom]
  39. Breastcancernow.org [Breast Cancer Now, United Kingdom]
  40. Breastcancerriskfactors.gov.au [Breast Cancer Risk Factors, Australia]
  41. Breastcanceruk.org.uk [Breast Cancer, United Kingdom]
  42. Bring Your Brave Campaign
  43. Cancerreasearchuk.org: Breast Cancer
  44. Consumer Health: Are You Due for A Mammogram?
  45. Consumer Health: Breast Cancer Types and What Your Type Means
  46. Consumer Health: Metastatic Breast Cancer
  47. Consumer Health: Reducing Your Risk of Breast Cancer
  48. Consumer Health: What To Do If You Find A Breast Lump
  49. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  50. Dense Breasts
  51. Does Breast or Ovarian Cancer Run In Your Family?
  52. Dr. Lisa Larkin – Scientific Advances In Early Cancer Detection: What the Future Holds
  53. Drinking Alcohol
  54. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
  55. FAQs
  56. Familial Breast Cancer
  57. Family History
  58. Genetic Testing [Breast Cancer]
  59. Genetic Testing and Family Relationships
  60. Glossary
  61. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
    Ovarian Cancer
  62. HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: What Is It?
  63. HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  64. Hormone (Endocrine) Therapy
  65. Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
  66. How Breast Cancer Can Affect Mental Health
  67. How Menopause Can Happen With Breast Cancer Treatments
  68. Is There Any Connection Between Breast Implants and Cancer? And If So, How Serious Is the Risk?
  69. Know Your Risk
  70. Know Your Risk: Breast Cancer Risk Factors – Age
  71. Learn About Breast Cancer
  72. Living With Breast Cancer
  73. Luminal B Breast Cancer
  74. Mammograms
  75. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Family Health History Information: Dear Mayo Clinic: My grandmother died of breast cancer at 70. My first cousin was recently diagnosed at 35…
  76. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Genetic Abnormalities and Cancer Risk
  77. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Immunotherapy and Breast Cancer
  78. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Surgical Options for Breast Cancer Treatment [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  79. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: What To Expect After Breast Cancer [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  80. Metastatic Breast Cancer
  81. My Journey
  82. Mybreastcancercoach.org [My Breast Cancer Coach, United States]
  83. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 6 Things You Need To Know About Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches
  84. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cancer: In-Depth
  85. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Green Tea
  86. Nationalbreastcancer.org [National Breast Cancer Foundation, United States]
  87. Nbcf.org.au [National Breast Cancer Foundation, Australia]
  88. New Diagnosis
  89. Not All Lumps Are Breast Cancer: Benign Breast Disease
  90. Preparing for Your Breast Biopsy
  91. Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Breast Cancer
  92. Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
  93. Talk With A Doctor If Breast or Ovarian Cancer Runs In Your Family
  94. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
  95. Types of Complementary Therapy
  96. Understanding the Tests That Could Save My Breasts
  97. Video Series-2023: Lifestyle Modification and Prevention of Breast Cancer
  98. Video Series-2023: New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
  99. WHO Launches New Roadmap on Breast Cancer
  100. Who Is At High Risk for Breast Cancer? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Know Your Risk: Breast Cancer Risk Factors – Age. Last Updated: 23 February 2023. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/age Accessed: 26 May 2023
  2. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: B – Breast Cancer. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/expand/B Accessed: 26 May 2023
  3. About Breast Cancer? What Is Breast Cancer? Last Updated: 04 January 2023. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/about-breast-cancer Accessed: 26 May 2023
  4. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: B – Breast Cancer. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/expand/B Accessed: 26 May 2023
  5. Worldwide Cancer Data: Global Cancer Statistics for the Most Common Cancers – Global Cancer Incidence In Women. World Cancer Research Fund International https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/cancer-trends/worldwide-cancer-data Accessed: 26 May 2023
  6. Worldwide Cancer Data. World Cancer Research Fund International https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/cancer-trends/worldwide-cancer-data Accessed: 26 May 2023
  7. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Statistics. Last Reviewed: 06 June 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/index.htm Accessed: 26 May 2023
  8. Breast Cancer In Women: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 28 October 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/ Accessed: 26 May 2023
  9. Breast Cancer Risk Factors. Last Updated: 25 March 2023. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors Accessed: 26 May 2023
  10. Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: General Information About Breast Cancer – A Family History of Breast Cancer and Other Factors Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer. Updated: 05 April 2023. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-treatment-pdq Accessed: 26 May 2023
  11. Know Your Risk: Breast Cancer Risk Factors – Age. Last Updated: 21 January 2023. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/age Accessed: 26 May 2023
  12. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks. 2022:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 26 May 2023
  13. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Optimising the Menopause Transition: Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:1 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691221104882 Accessed: 26 May 2023
  14. Awareness Remains Low Over Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk. 13 August 2019. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/news/awareness-remains-low-over-alcohol-and-breast-cancer-risk Accessed: 26 May 2023
  15. Breast Cancer & Bone Health. Last Updated: 13 February 2020 | Last Reviewed: 15 December 2013. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bone-health/breast-cancer-bone-health/ Accessed: 26 May 2023
  16. Male Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: Overview – General Information About Male Breast Cancer. Updated: 14 April 2022. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/male-breast-treatment-pdq#section/_69 Accessed: 26 May 2023
  17. About Your Breasts: When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 04 December 2019 | Last Reviewed: 30 October 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/breast-health/about-your-breasts Accessed: 26 May 2023
Topic Last Updated: 26 May 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 May 2023

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