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Breast Cancer Toolkit

Breast Cancer Statistics

  • Twelve percent of women, about 1 in 8 women, will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
  • In the U.S., an estimated 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer, and 63,410 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) are expected to be diagnosed in 2017.
  • In 2017, 2,470 new cases of breast cancer in men are expected to be diagnosed. The risk of being diagnosed in a man’s lifetime is about 1 in 1,000.
  • After breast cancer rates increased over the past 20 years, rates finally began to drop in 2000. From 2002 to 2003, rates dropped by 7%. The Women’s Health Initiative, a large study, was published in 2002. The results of this study theorize that the reduced use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the cause of this reduction in cancer rates, as there is suggested that the use of HRT increases the risk of breast cancer.
  • In 2017, approximately 40,610 U.S. women are expected to die from breast cancer. However, rates of breast cancer deaths have decreased since 1989, particularly in the 50+ demographic. This reduction has been attributed to increased awareness about breast cancer, earlier detection through screening and progressive treatments.
  • Breast cancer rates in the U.S. are higher than any other cancer, except for lung cancer.
  • Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S., besides skin cancer. Of newly diagnosed cancers, 30% will be breast cancer.
  • Breast cancer in women under 45 in more common in African-American women than white women. African-American women have a higher risk of dying from breast cancer, while Asian, Hispanic and Native American women have a lower risk of dying from breast cancer.
  • In the U.S., as of March 2017, there are over 3.1 million women with a history of breast cancer; this includes women who are currently in treatment or have finished treatment.
  • If a woman has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer, her risk of being diagnosed with cancer almost doubles. However, less than 15% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have had a family member diagnosed with cancer.
  • Inherited gene mutations cause 5-10% of breast cancers, of which the mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common. Women with a BRCA1 mutation have a 55-65% risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, while women with the BRCA2 mutation have a 45% risk. In addition, breast cancer that tests positive for both mutations often develops more frequently in younger women, and these mutations also carry an increased risk for developing ovarian cancer. Men who carry the BRCA2 gene have an approximate lifetime cancer risk of 6.8%, while carrying the BRCA1 gene is a less frequent cause of cancer in men.
  • Approximately 85% of breast cancer occurs in women with no family history of breast cancer. Instead of a genetic inheritance, these cancer diagnoses are due to factors in life and aging in general that may cause genetic mutations.
  • Gender and age are the highest risk factors.

Caregiver Support

While it is meaningful to take care of someone with breast cancer, it can be tough emotionally to care for someone you love, living with a disease.  You may experience sadness, grief, fear and overwhelm.  It is important to make sure you take care of yourself – manage your stress level, physical and mental health.  If you find yourself getting sad and/or depressed, talk to friends, family or a professional. Make sure to take time to keep your life as normal as possible – get exercise, eat healthy, get spiritual support and take the time to engage in activities that bring you joy.  Also, know what you can and can’t do, and reach out to others for support.

The support systems that you have will help you in your survivorship. Your parents, your spouse or significant other, your friends and your children can all play a significant part in your survivorship. Their emotional and physical help will allow you to heal. Each member of your support group can help in a different way, and each member needs his or her own help as well. Achieving this balance allows you and your support system to survive and thrive post-cancer.

Spouse/significant other

When your spouse or significant other is diagnosed with cancer, it can be incredibly difficult. Your relationship may become strained under the stress of illness, or it may become stronger. The key to ensuring that you demonstrate love and support your spouse or significant other is to clearly communicate your feelings; this may be verbally, through a letter, or by doing things for your spouse or significant other. Also, you may have challenges as your spouse may have physical changes as a result of her treatment about which she may feel very insecure. You can assure your spouse that you love her for her, not for her physical attributes.

Make sure that your spouse shows signs of coping and that she is not depressed or losing hope. You may want to suggest other people or support systems to help her process her feelings and emotions after cancer. Also, be prepared that the recovery process may be slow and your spouse or significant other may be slow to return to the way she was before the cancer diagnosis. In addition, help your spouse or significant other; help with daily chores, children, or other responsibilities. It is not an easy situation, but you can make a difference in providing support for her as she heals.

Children

Your child or children may not always understand your illness and recovery. The best way to keep your children happy and free from worry is through clear communication. Your children do not need to know the minutiae of every doctor’s visit; however, keeping them informed of your progress and welcoming the chance for them to ask questions will make them feel comfortable and informed. Also, ensure that you communicate or explain if you cannot spend time with them or are unable to attend any events with them, so that they don’t feel slighted.

Friends

It is very difficult to watch a friend battle breast cancer. Often, just being there for your friend to listen is incredibly meaningful. Not to judge, give advice, but just to listen. Also, you can help your friend by assisting with any errands or obligations that she may not be able to do, such as grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, or watching children. Being there for her when she wants to talk, or keeping her company is valuable as well. Having a friend go through this experience may cause you stress and worry as well, so be sure to take care of yourself too.

Parents who are caregivers

Parents who are caregivers may have to take on a significant amount of responsibility. Not only do parents ensure that the physical and medical needs of the cancer survivor have been taken care of, but the parents often must be the decision makers for the cancer survivor. Also, they may have had to take care of the insurance claims and payments for the person. They might have had to take care of the cooking, cleaning and errands for the person, as well as taking the person to the doctor. All of this can be exhausting, emotionally draining and time consuming. Although it may be difficult, parents need to ensure that they are taking care of themselves too, both physically and emotionally. Only by being grounded and balanced will parents be able to effectively take care of their needs as well as their child’s needs.

Support groups for you

Another way to find support outside of your spouse or family is to join a support group. Support groups can either serve as an educational platform, where you can seek out answers to questions that you may have during or post-treatment; or a support group can serve to support you emotionally, surrounding yourself with others who may have had similar experiences.  The frequency of the meetings and the location of the meetings can vary from group to group; some may meet monthly or weekly; others may meet at a church or synagogue, or at a member’s home.

Another option is to join an online support group. The advantage to this type of group is that you can benefit from the support of others virtually. If travel, distance, or time is an issue, joining an online support group or discussion board is a great alternative. There are also telephone support groups as well.

Visit our Educational Guidebooks page, where you will find our Caregiver Guidebook, for more detailed information.

Holistic & Integrative Health

Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments are prescribed by your doctor to treat and hopefully eliminate the cancer in your body. However, these treatments only treat one or a limited part of you and often overlook the rest of you.

Holistic and integrated health strives to address the whole person, not just the cancerous part of you. This approach takes into consideration your emotions, thoughts, feelings, as well as your whole body. Also, proactively finding supplemental holistic or integrated health approaches may help you feel better in that you are taking an active role in trying to recover. Please do note that these are supplementary treatments to your cancer treatment or can be used post-cancer. You may want to ask your doctor about these treatments, or see what he or she may suggest in relation to your specific needs.

There are several holistic and integrated health treatments that are available: acupuncture, aromatherapy, exercise, hypnosis, massage, meditation, music therapy, relaxation techniques, tai chi and yoga.

  • Acupuncture involves using small needles at specific points; it is used to relieve nausea and sometimes pain.
  • Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant oils for relaxation, or to minimize nausea and pain. Oils can be used in a massage, a bath, or dispersed in the air.
  • Exercise can reduce stress, promote relaxation, and help you sleep well. Hypnosis is also an option, where a therapist can use hypnosis to help you manage your pain, your stress, or encourage relaxation.
  • Massage can promote relaxation and minimize stress.
  • Meditation and controlled or deep breathing may help you by focusing your mind and alleviating stress.
  • Music therapy is where a therapist may sing with you or play instruments; this is helpful in minimizing pain and nausea. Relaxation techniques, taught by a therapist, may help you relax and sleep well.
  • Tai chi is a stress-relieving exercise that involves deep breathing and slow movements.
  • Yoga is a great way to relieve stress and improve your quality of sleep.

Diet & Nutrition

Nutrition and diet, combined with a consistent exercise regimen will make you feel and look better, and will help your body recover. Try to eat a whole grain diet, plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid excess sugar and fried or processed foods. Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary beverages.

Watch your alcohol intake, as above-average levels of alcohol consumption can increase the risk of cancer as well as a host of other health issues. You should avoid smoking, as that can also cause a myriad of health problems, from emphysema to lung cancer.

Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and eating balanced meals are crucial to being healthy. With a healthy lifestyle, you are in a great shape to lowering your risk for breast cancer.  These tips will help you treat your body well, as it deserves to be treated.

Diet and Nutrition

It is important to pay attention to what you eat, as what you eat has a direct link to your health. To avoid excessive eating, eat only when you feel hungry and stop when you feel full. Also, you should limit alcoholic drinks and stop smoking, if you do.

At the grocery story – whenever possible, buy organic produce as non-organic selections may contain residual pesticides and other harmful chemicals that may be linked to cancer. Look for foods that provide Vitamin D (eg. fish, beans, milk eggs), Vitamin A (eg. carrots, sweet potatoes, leafy greens), Vitamin E (eg. nuts, kale, spinach, tropical fruits), and fiber (eg. oatmeal, whole wheat, cornmeal, quinoa, while rice).  You should also look for seasonal fruits and vegetables. Fruits are a great for when you have a craving for something sugary – try eating a peach, strawberry or banana.

Cooking helps you to control they type and amount of ingredients go into the meal. Sodium (salt) is an ingredient that is generally high in processed foods. Excess sodium promotes inflammation, one of the factors that can promote breast cancer. Preparing a meal for yourself and others is a great way to relief stress. As you think ahead about your meals, keep in mind that breakfast is the first meal of the day, so make it count! Eating breakfast helps to get rid of mid-morning cravings. Also, with your meals, think of all the color – plate it nicely and it feels like a treat!

Staying Fit

Being active has a positive impact on your body, mind and soul. Try to make exercise part of your routine. Start with something light, like a 15-minute walk in the mornings or afternoons during the weekend. Then, you can gradually increase that to a daily activity. In time, you may even incorporate other activities such as jogging, yoga, hiking and biking. Being active and fit are a great way to get your heart to pump blood through your body – making you feel rejuvenated. You get to reduce calories and enjoy nature too.

Screening & Testing

Early Detection

It is important to detect breast cancer as early as possible. The sooner it is detected, the faster the doctor can determine the right treatment plan for you.

Early detection starts with knowing your body well, and understanding the type of changes that you need to look out for. You are in the best position to know the normal look and feel of your breasts. Make a habit of regularly doing breast self exams so that you can identity changes early. Most importantly, if you notice any changes, speak to your doctor right away. Also, you should trust your instincts. If you are uncomfortable with what your doctor says, make arrangements to have a second opinion.

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump. However, if you do find a lump – don’t panic. Some women have naturally lumpy breast, and some have lumps that come and go with their period. Other breast cancer symptoms include dimpling, rash or itching, nipple discharge, lumps in/on the underarm area. It is important to do breast self examinations or conduct regular breast cancer screening (as is age appropriate). The types of breast cancer screening methods are described in our screening section.

Early detection focuses on identifying the cancer before symptoms have begun to show or identifying breast cancer in its early stages. There are different guidelines for women that have an average risk of being diagnosed with cancer compared to those who are considered to be at a higher risk for cancer.

Women who are considered to have an average risk of breast cancer are those who have not had chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, have not had cancer in the past, do not have a significant family history of breast cancer, or any genetic mutations like BRCA. The guidelines set by the American Cancer Society are: yearly optional mammograms for women between 40 and 44 years of age; yearly mammograms for those 45-54 years old; and those 55+ can decide to continue with annual mammograms or for a mammogram every other year.

High-risk women are those who: have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation; have a first-degree relative (child, parent, or sibling) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation but have not had genetic testing done; had chest radiation therapy during the ages of 10-30; personally had or had family members with Cowden syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome; or have a 20-25% lifetime risk of cancer based on assessment tools such as the Claus model. These women are recommended to have an MRI and a mammogram every year; this usually begins at age 30. High-risk women should also educate themselves and work closely with their doctor to be proactive about their health.

Various ethnic groups have different incidences of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene.

  • African-American women have an incidence rate of 1% of the BRCA1 gene and a rate of 3% of the BRCA2 gene.
  • Ashkenazi Jewish women have a higher rate of the BRCA1 gene, at 8-10%, and have a 1% incidence of the BRCA2 gene.
  • Asian-American women have a rate of under 1% of the BRCA1 gene, and there is no information available about the rate of the BRCA2 gene.
  • Caucasian women that are not Ashkenazi Jewish have a 2-3% rate of the BRCA1 gene and a 2% rate of the BRCA2 gene.
  • There is a 4% rate of occurrence of the BRCA1 gene in Hispanic women, and the information is not available regarding the incidence of the BRCA2 gene.

Below, we provide information on breast self exams, which can benefit younger women.

Self Breast Exam

When your breasts are developing, you may feel lumps. These usually disappear on their own. If you lump is sore to touch or if it appears to be getting bigger or if you want to speak with someone about it, you can speak to your pediatrician or general practitioner. You may also speak with a family member or a school nurse. You may request a female nurse or doctor if that makes you feel more comfortable. The nurse or doctor will examine you and let you know if there is anything to be concerned about.

Sometimes you may have some pain in your breasts. This pain can be a mild, or it can be sharp, stabbing or burning. The pain may be affected by changing hormone level such as around the time of your period. If this pain worries you, speak to your doctor.

How to Do A Breast Self Exam

Regular breast self examinations are an important key to being your best advocate.

  1. Look at your breast in the mirror.  It is important to know how your breast look and feel.  Doing regular self examinations helps you to get familiar with the size, color, shape and “feel” of your breasts.   important changes to look for  are:  dimpling, puckering, redness, soreness, fluid/discharge, rash or swelling.
  2. Raise your arms and see if you detect any of the changes above.
  3. Lay down and feel your breasts.  Use your left hand to check your right breast and your right hand to check your left breast.  Firmly, apply the pads of your fingers, keeping them flat and in a circular motion, examine your entire breast.  Go from side to side then top to bottom.  Go from your collarbone to where you abdomen starts, then your cleavage to your armpits. Make sure you choose a pattern to make sure you cover the entire breast.
  4. Repeat the same steps when standing or sitting.

Contact your doctor if you feel any of the following:

    • Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
    • Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
    • Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
    • Change in the shape/size of the breast
    • Dimpling or puckering of skin
    • Nipple discharge
    • Persistent pain

Treatments

SURGERY

Surgery is often the first step towards treating your breast cancer. However, the decision to have surgery is very personal, and it also depends on your cancer profile. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best course of action for your particular cancer diagnosis. He or she will discuss with you whether your cancer will be best treated with surgery, and if so, what type of surgery is appropriate for your situation. If surgery is the best option for you, there are several options to consider.

There are several types of surgeries, each of which has its own pros and cons, which you need to review with your doctor to decide the best course of action that suits you and your diagnosis. First, a mastectomy is when all of the breast tissue is removed from the body, whereas a lumpectomy involves taking out the tumor and tissue near the tumor, which can preserve the breast. During either of these procedures, the lymph nodes can be removed, if the breast cancer has grown outside of the milk ducts. Or a lymph node dissection is also an option, where a few lymph nodes are removed and examined to determine if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

Also, some women opt for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy, so that their breasts look the way they did before the surgery. Others may use a prosthetic breast instead. Another proactive approach is for those who have a very high risk of having cancer is to have a prophylactic mastectomy, in which the breast is removed. A similar preventative surgery done for high-risk women is to have the ovaries removed in a prophylactic ovary removal, which reduces the levels of estrogen in the body, which inhibits the development of cancer due to estrogen. Lastly, cryotherapy, in which the cancer cells are killed via extremely cold temperatures, is another treatment that is still in an experimental stage.

RADIATION THERAPY

Another option for you to consider is radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy. This is a highly effective way in which to kill cancer cells and it can reduce the risk of cancer recurring by about 70%. A plus is that radiation therapy is somewhat easy to tolerate and has limited side effects. Radiation therapy consists of targeting the cancerous cells with a high-energy beam. A high-energy beam is similar to light or an x-ray. These high-energy beams use radiation to damage a cell’s DNA, essentially slowing down the cell reproduction process. Healthy cells are able to repair themselves and reproduce, while cancer cells have difficulty recovering from this radiation, therefore more effectively slowing down cell reproduction or killing the cells.

This radiation therapy can be administered to you in two ways: one, as a beam from a machine, similar to an x-ray; and the other, as pellets that are implanted in the body that radiate beams from inside your body. Radiation requires a consistent time commitment, as your treatments can be up to 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for about seven weeks. Some of the side effects include a local skin irritation where the radiation was administered, similar to a sunburn. Unlike chemotherapy, you will not lose your hair or experience other adverse side effects. This treatment is administered to you by a radiation oncologist.

CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy is another treatment option for you that treats the whole body by introducing medicine through the bloodstream, which is also known as systemic therapy. This option targets cancer cells by using medicine, in an attempt to weaken or kill the cells both at the tumor site as well as any cells that have spread throughout the body.

Chemotherapy can be administered in the case of both early-stage and advanced-stage invasive breast cancer. During early-stage invasive breast cancer, chemotherapy is used to try to destroy any possible lingering cancer cells after surgery, as well as to minimize the possibility of the cancer returning. Chemotherapy is used in advanced-stage breast cancer to kill or weaken as many cancer cells as possible.

However, as the chemotherapy kills cancer cells, it also kills healthy cells as well. The side effects are something for you to consider. You may experience hair loss, skin and mouth irritation and changes to your nails, such as cracking and the nails turning yellow. Other effects you may experience are: digestive issues and vomiting; “chemo brain” or foggy or unclear thinking; swelling of the hands and feet and difficulty urinating; and overall discomfort. Again, it is up to you and your doctor to determine what the best cause of treatment is for you.

Types of Breast Cancer

There are many different types of breast cancer which can start in various parts of the breast. Learning about your particular type of cancer will arm you with the knowledge and provide you with the confidence to begin navigating your path to wellness with your doctor. You can read about these 15 different types of breast cancer below.

DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma in Situ: This is the most common kind of cancer that is not invasive. “Ductal” means that the cancer has started in the milk ducts, which are tubes that carry milk to the nipple; “Carcinoma” is cancer that starts in the skin or any tissue that cover internal organs; and “in Situ” means “in place” meaning that the cancer has not spread outside of the milk duct. Although it is not lethal, having this type of cancer means that you are susceptible to developing cancer at another time, as you have about a 30% chance of developing invasive cancer within 5-10 years after your initial diagnosis. 

IDC – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: This is the most common type of cancer, also known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma, makes up 80% of all diagnoses. “Invasive” means that the cancer has spread or invaded throughout the surrounding breast tissues; “Ductal” means that the cancer has started in the milk ducts, which are tubes that carry milk to the nipple; and “Carcinoma” is cancer that starts in the skin or any tissue that cover internal organs. Therefore, this type of cancer has moved from the wall of the milk duct to move throughout the breast; from there it can spread to the lymph nodes then to the rest of the body. Over 180,000 women are diagnosed with this cancer yearly.    

IDC Type: Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast: A type of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, this cancer consists of small tubules, which are tube-shaped structures. These structures are considered “low grade” which means that they grow slowly and look like healthy cells. Thanks to improvements in detection technology and screening, these are detected far earlier, and it is considered to be a cancer that responds positively to treatment and is not very aggressive.   

IDC Type: Medullary Carcinoma of the Breast: A type of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, this cancer is very rare, accounting for 3-5% of all cancers. This is named after the medulla, as the tumors are soft and fleshy and look like the medulla part of the brain. Women who have the BRCA1 gene may be susceptible to this type of cancer. Although the tumors appear to be high-grade (fast-growing, aggressive cells), they do not grow rapidly and do not typically spread beyond the breast to the lymph nodes. This cancer may be easier to treat than other cancers.   

IDC Type: Mucinous Carcinoma of the Breast: A type of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, this cancer is very rare and consists of a tumor that consists of abnormal cells that float in pools of mucin, which is an ingredient that makes up mucous in the body. Most types of cancer cells make mucus, but in this cancer, mucin becomes part of the tumor and surrounds the breast cancer cells. This type of cancer only makes up about 2-3% of all cancers, while about 5% of cancers have a combination of both mucinous carcinoma cells and regular cancer cells. This cancer is not very aggressive and is not likely to spread to the lymph nodes.   

IDC Type: Papillary Carcinoma of the Breast: A type of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, this cancer is very rare, as it accounts for only 1-2% of all cancers. This cancer occurs in post-menopausal women and consists of finger-like projections with a defined border. These cells, on a scale from one to three, one being normal-looking and behaving cells, and three being aggressive and abnormal-looking cells, these objects look around a grade two. Ductal carcinoma in situ can also occur with this type of cancer.   

IDC Type: Cribriform Carcinoma of the Breast: A type of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, this cancer occurs in the stroma, which are the connective tissues of the breast, in formations that look like webbing or nests between the lobules and the ducts. Inside the tumor are small holes in between the cancer cells, which resemble Swiss cheese. Cancer cells are low-grade, which means that the cancers closely resemble healthy cells and do not grow rapidly. Ductal carcinoma in situ can also occur with this type of cancer.

ILC – Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: This is the second most common breast cancer type, consisting of 10% of all cancer diagnoses. “Invasive” means that the cancer has spread or invaded throughout the surrounding breast tissues; “Lobular” refers to the lobules, which create the milk that flows into the ducts, which transport the milk to the nipple; and “Carcinoma” is cancer that starts in the skin or any tissue that cover internal organs.  Essentially this cancer is when the cancer starts in the lobules and goes through the wall of the lobules to spread to other parts of the breast tissue. This cancer can spread to the lymph nodes as well as to other parts of the body.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer: This is a very rare and aggressive type of cancer, occurring in less than 1% of cancer cases. Instead of showing up as a lump, the entire breast becomes red and inflamed, and symptoms can worsen in hours or days. If you see these types of symptoms, seeking immediate medical attention is very important.

LCIS – Lobular Carcinoma in Situ: Although it is not considered to be a true breast cancer, more so a collection of abnormal cells, this diagnosis presents a higher risk of having cancer in the future. “Lobular” refers to the lobules, which create the milk that flows into the ducts, which transport the milk to the nipple; “Carcinoma” is cancer that starts in the skin or any tissue that cover internal organs; and “in Situ” means “in place” meaning that the cancer has not spread outside of the lobules. This affects multiple lobules.

Male Breast Cancer:  Breast cancer in men is extremely rare, as less than 1% of breast cancer occurs in men, and men have a 1 in 1,000 risk of developing breast cancer over a lifetime. Also, men do have breast tissue, and sometimes hormonal imbalances can cause breast tissue to grow breast gland tissue.

Paget’s Disease of the Nipple: This is a very rare form of cancer, as it accounts for only 5% of cancer diagnoses. The disease occurs when cancer affects the milk ducts of the nipple, then it spreads to the nipple surface and outwards to the areola. Symptoms of this disease are a scaly, red, irritated and itchy nipple. This is why noticing any difference in your breast is important, as over 97% of those diagnosed with Paget’s Disease also have cancer in another part of the breast, and noticing these changes can be the first step in identifying and later treating the cancer.

Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast: These extremely rare tumors account for less than 1% of all breast tumors. Derived from the Greek word phyllode, meaning “leaf”, these tumors grow in a pattern that resembles a leaf. Most of these tumors are benign, but some can be malignant, and some can be both benign and malignant; all are recommended to be surgically removed so that the tumor does not grow back. Women can be diagnosed with these tumors at any age, but are more prone to this diagnosis when in their 40s. Benign tumors are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age than malignant tumors are to be diagnosed. It is incredibly rare for a man to be diagnosed with this type of tumor.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): This type of cancer is determined by a pathology report; it means that you have tested negative for estrogen receptors (ER-), progesterone receptors (PR-) and HER2 (HER2-). This type of cancer accounts for about 10-20% of all cancers. These results mean that your cancer is not supported by the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and is not supported by having too many HER2 receptors. As a result, this type of cancer cannot be treated by hormonal therapy or by HER2-targeting therapy. Other types of treatments are used to fight triple negative cancer.  Learn more about TNBC here.

Symptoms

Just as no two people are alike, breast cancer symptoms can vary from person to person. Keeping up with regular self-exams and mammograms will enable you to be vigilant and proactive in your health. Being aware of other symptoms and changes that can possibly be cancerous is also beneficial.

Some women may not have any symptoms initially, or feel any lumps, particularly if the lumps are small. In this case, a lump can be detected via a mammogram. Yet some women may detect a lump themselves, through a self-exam or by noticing other changes; or a doctor may discover a lump, which can be the first sign of cancer. Lumps are not consistent, as some lumps can be tender or sore, and soft and round; while others may be painless, hard or shapeless.

Symptoms of breast cancer are not restricted only to lumps, as there are other symptoms that may be indicative of breast cancer. Although these symptoms may also indicate the presence of a cyst or an infection, you should always discuss these symptoms with a doctor. These changes include: swelling in your breast; dimpling or irritation of your skin; pain in your breast; pain in your nipple or your nipple inverting; a lump in your armpit; discharge from your nipple (not breast milk); and changes in your nipple or breast skin, including thickening or redness of the skin, or the skin becoming scaly.

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