Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the breast tissue, which everyone has in their chest. It is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK. It can affect both men and women.
Breast screening (mammogram) can pick up breast cancer that is too small to feel or see, which may make treatment more likely to be successful.
Sometimes breast cancer can spread to another part to the body, this is called secondary breast cancer.
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Signs and symptoms include:
- A lump or swelling in your chest or armpit
- Liquid leaking from your nipples (nipple discharge), which may have blood in it
- Changes in the size or shape of either side of your chest
- Sores or ulcers on your chest
- A change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it is turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (may look like eczema).
It's important to check your chest regularly so you know what's normal for you. This makes it easier to notice any changes in the size, look or feel of your chest or nipples.
Please contact your GP if you have any concerns or signs and symptoms.
The main treatment for breast cancer is usually surgery.
Other common treatments can include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, treatment with hormones (hormone therapy), and targeted medicines and immunotherapy.
There are psychological and wellbeing services for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer and would like counselling to support with the impact of cancer.
Breast pain is very common in women of all ages and can also affect men, it can have lots of different causes but, on its own, breast pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer.
Many women have breast pain as part of their normal menstrual cycle (periods). This is called cyclical breast pain. It usually begins up to 2 weeks before a period. It can be a dull, heavy, or aching feeling, affecting both breasts and sometimes spreading to the armpit, which goes away when the period ends.
Lasting pain in the breast that’s not related to periods is known as non-cyclical breast pain.
Sometimes pain that feels as though it's in the breast is coming from somewhere else, such as a pulled muscle in the chest. This is called chest wall pain.
Other causes of breast pain include:
- Injuries or sprains to the neck, shoulder or back – these can be felt as breast pain
- Medicines like the contraceptive pill and some antidepressants
- Conditions like mastitis or a breast abscess
- Pregnancy
- Hormone changes during the menopause.
Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer, however if you have any concerns, please contact your GP.
Breast screening is a medical screening test designed to identify breast cancer. Breast screening uses X-rays, called mammograms, to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel.
Any female who is registered with a GP will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. You'll get a letter in the post inviting you.
You can find out more about breast screening by visiting this link: When you'll be invited for breast screening and who should go.
- Prevent Breast Cancer
- Symptoms of breast cancer - Cancer Research UK
- Breast cancer in women - NHS
- Breast cancer in men - NHS
- West Midlands Breast Screening Programme
- Breast Screening – The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
- Lingen Davies
- Cancer Champions Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
- Pink Ribbons Breast Cancer Support Group - Live Well Telford
Living With and Beyond Cancer
Main Cancer Page
