“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:
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast”.2
The (United States) Breastcancer.org’s definition is:
Types
What are common types of breast cancer?
The NCI explain:
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):
In the United Kingdom according to the (United Kingdom) NHS:
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:
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:
- 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:

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:
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:
Alcohol
Is there an association between alcohol and breast cancer?
In Awareness Remains Low Over Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk the JH note:
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:
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.:
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:
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:
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
- About Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer: Diagnosis & Treatment [+ Video]
- Know Your Risk: Breast Cancer Risk Factors – Age
- Not All Lumps Are Breast Cancer: Benign Breast Disease
- Video Series-2023: Lifestyle Modification and Prevention of Breast Cancer
- Video Series-2023: New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
- WHO Launches New Roadmap on Breast Cancer
- About Breast Cancer
- About Breast Cancer
- Are You At Risk of Breast Cancer?
- BRCA Gene Test for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk
- Bcna.org.au [Breast Cancer Network, Australia]
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer [How Diet, Nutrition and Physical Activity Affect Breast Cancer Risk]
- Breast Cancer At the Menopause
- Breast Cancer Awareness
- Breast Cancer Awareness [+ Video: What Does It Mean To Have Dense Breasts?]
- Breast Cancer Myths vs. Facts
- Breast Cancer Prevention (PDQ)–Patient Version
- Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk
- Breast Cancer Prevention: How To Reduce Your Risk
- Breast Cancer Risk Factors
- Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms
- Breast Cancer Symptoms: What You Need To Know
- Breast Cancer and Bone Loss
- Breast Cancer: Diagnosis & Treatment [+ Video]
- Breast Cancer: Symptoms & Causes [+ Video]
- Breast Cancer: What Does it Mean To Have Dense Breasts?
- Breast Cancer: What Is Breast Cancer? [+ Images]
- Breast Cancer: What You Can Do
- Breast Cancer–Patient Version
- Breast Changes and Conditions
- Breast Cysts
- Breast Lump: Early Evaluation Is Essential
- Breast Pain
- Breast Rashes
- Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy
- Breastcancer.org [United States]
- Breastcancercare.org.uk [Breast Cancer Care, United Kingdom]
- Breastcancernow.org [Breast Cancer Now, United Kingdom]
- Breastcancerriskfactors.gov.au [Breast Cancer Risk Factors, Australia]
- Breastcanceruk.org.uk [Breast Cancer, United Kingdom]
- Bring Your Brave Campaign
- Cancerreasearchuk.org: Breast Cancer
- Consumer Health: Are You Due for A Mammogram?
- Consumer Health: Breast Cancer Types and What Your Type Means
- Consumer Health: Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Consumer Health: Reducing Your Risk of Breast Cancer
- Consumer Health: What To Do If You Find A Breast Lump
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Dense Breasts
- Does Breast or Ovarian Cancer Run In Your Family?
- Dr. Lisa Larkin – Scientific Advances In Early Cancer Detection: What the Future Holds
- Drinking Alcohol
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
- FAQs
- Familial Breast Cancer
- Family History
- Genetic Testing [Breast Cancer]
- Genetic Testing and Family Relationships
- Glossary
- Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
- HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: What Is It?
- HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Hormone (Endocrine) Therapy
- Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
- How Breast Cancer Can Affect Mental Health
- How Menopause Can Happen With Breast Cancer Treatments
- Is There Any Connection Between Breast Implants and Cancer? And If So, How Serious Is the Risk?
- Know Your Risk
- Know Your Risk: Breast Cancer Risk Factors – Age
- Learn About Breast Cancer
- Living With Breast Cancer
- Luminal B Breast Cancer
- Mammograms
- 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…
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Genetic Abnormalities and Cancer Risk
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Immunotherapy and Breast Cancer
- Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Surgical Options for Breast Cancer Treatment [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: What To Expect After Breast Cancer [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Metastatic Breast Cancer
- My Journey
- Mybreastcancercoach.org [My Breast Cancer Coach, United States]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 6 Things You Need To Know About Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cancer: In-Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Green Tea
- Nationalbreastcancer.org [National Breast Cancer Foundation, United States]
- Nbcf.org.au [National Breast Cancer Foundation, Australia]
- New Diagnosis
- Not All Lumps Are Breast Cancer: Benign Breast Disease
- Preparing for Your Breast Biopsy
- Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Breast Cancer
- Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
- Talk With A Doctor If Breast or Ovarian Cancer Runs In Your Family
- Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Types of Complementary Therapy
- Understanding the Tests That Could Save My Breasts
- Video Series-2023: Lifestyle Modification and Prevention of Breast Cancer
- Video Series-2023: New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
- WHO Launches New Roadmap on Breast Cancer
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Worldwide Cancer Data. World Cancer Research Fund International https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/cancer-trends/worldwide-cancer-data Accessed: 26 May 2023
- 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
- Breast Cancer In Women: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 28 October 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/ Accessed: 26 May 2023
- Breast Cancer Risk Factors. Last Updated: 25 March 2023. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors Accessed: 26 May 2023
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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