BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Men's Health Week 9th to 15th May
Early detection and prevention are essential tools in the battle against breast cancer. Explore these resources for helpful tips.
What Is Breast Cancer?
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with around 56,800 new cases diagnosed annually—more than 150 every day. It occurs when cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour that may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The disease typically begins in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or the lobules (lobular carcinoma), but it can also arise in other breast tissues.
Although breast cancer predominantly affects women, it is not exclusive to them—approximately 400 men are diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK. The risk increases with age, and about 1 in 7 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
For mature students, understanding breast cancer is not only relevant for personal health awareness but also for engaging with broader public health issues. Risk factors include genetic predispositions (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations), lifestyle choices (like alcohol consumption and physical inactivity), and hormonal influences. Encouragingly, around 23% of breast cancer cases in the UK are considered preventable through lifestyle changes
Thanks to advances in early detection and treatment, survival rates have significantly improved—about 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in England now survive for 10 years or more
However, awareness, education, and proactive health management remain key to reducing both incidence and mortality.
Common Symptoms
Common Symptoms
A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
Change in size, shape, or appearance of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin (like an orange peel)
Nipple discharge (other than breast milk), possibly bloody
Inverted nipple or nipple pain
Redness, scaling, or flaking of the nipple or breast skin
Causes and Risk Factors
Causes and Risk Factors
While the exact cause is often unknown, several factors can increase risk:
Genetics: BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations
Age: Most common in women over 50
Hormonal factors: Early menstruation, late menopause, hormone replacement therapy
Lifestyle: Alcohol use, obesity, lack of physical activity
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
Types of Breast Cancer
Types of Breast Cancer
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Most common, starts in milk ducts
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Begins in milk-producing glands
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): Non-invasive, confined to ducts
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): Lacks hormone receptors, more aggressive
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC): Rare, fast-growing, causes swelling and redness 1
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Mammogram: X-ray of the breast
Ultrasound or MRI
Biopsy: Tissue sample for lab analysis
Genetic testing: For inherited mutations like BRCA1/2 2
Treatment Options
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type, stage, and receptor status of the cancer:
Surgery: Lumpectomy or mastectomy
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy: For hormone receptor-positive cancers
Targeted therapy: Drugs that target specific cancer cell markers
Immunotherapy: For certain types like TNBC 1
Prognosis and Outlook
Prognosis and Outlook
Early detection significantly improves outcomes. Survival rates have improved due to better screening, awareness, and treatment options
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Would you like information on screening guidelines, support resources, or living with breast cancer? I can also help you create a visual guide or summary if that would be helpful.
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