What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer starts when cells in your breast grow abnormally. These cells can multiply and spread to other tissues. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women today. In fact, about one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. While uncommon, men can get breast cancer too. Men make up less than 1% of all cases.

Whether you want to know your risk or you’re navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, you have many resources for prevention, detection, treatment and recovery. You have access to complete services from several areas of care across the Baylor Scott & White system—all dedicated to beating breast cancer.

breast cancer survivor outside excercising

Types of breast cancer

There are many different types of breast cancer, and the type of breast cancer you have depends on various factors, including where it begins, whether it has spread and other characteristics.

Typically, breast cancer begins in the lobules, which are the glands in your breast that produce milk, or in the milk ducts. In rare cases, you can develop cancer in other areas, such as the nipple.

Cancers are also classified based on whether they have spread to other tissues—invasive cancers—or remained in the area where they started—noninvasive cancers. Finally, doctors classify cancers by whether they have certain receptors that can attract or bind to hormones that drive cancer growth. Your cancer may be:

  • Estrogen-receptor (ER) positive
  • Progesterone-receptor (PR) positive
  • Hormone (HR) positive, meaning they have estrogen and progesterone receptors
  • Human epidermal growth factor type 2 (HER2) positive, meaning they have the HER2 protein which, like hormones, can promote cancer growth

Symptoms of breast cancer

One of the main signs of breast cancer is a lump, which can appear in your breast or underarm. However, lumps don’t always occur with every type of breast cancer. When they appear or are large enough to be felt, cancer may be advanced or fast-growing.

Early-stage breast cancer does not always cause symptoms. Still, it’s important to know what to look for so you can identify changes in your breasts during monthly self-exams.

In addition to breast lumps, signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:

  • A nipple that pulls or turns in
  • Changes in your breast’s size or shape
  • Discharge from the nipple that is not breast milk
  • Pain in your breast or nipple
  • Skin changes in the breast or around the nipple, such as dimpling, puckering, irritation, redness, dryness or flaking
  • Swelling or thickening in the breast or armpit

When to see a doctor 

See your doctor as soon as possible whenever you notice concerning signs or symptoms in your breasts. Many conditions can cause similar symptoms, and your provider can help you determine the cause and the appropriate treatment.

You can stay on top of your health with monthly breast self-exams. These let you get to know the normal texture and feel of your breasts, which can help you identify changes sooner.

What causes breast cancer?

Breast cancer is caused by breast cells that grow out of control. Medical experts do not know exactly why breast cells grow out of control in some women, but it may occur because of hormones or changes in your genes that you inherit from your parents or that develop over the course of your life. Genes control how your cells grow, divide and repair problems in DNA that can lead to cancer.

Researchers have identified many genetic changes that can increase your risk of developing breast cancer, including changes in BRCA1 and BRCA2, two genes commonly associated with the disease. However, many gene changes that cause breast cancer develop after you are born and are not well understood.

mother and daughter smiling together after going through breast cancer treatment

Risk factors for breast cancer

Knowing your risk for breast cancer allows you to take proactive steps to care for your breast health. Some breast cancer risk factors are within your control, and healthy changes may lower your risk. Others are not, but regular screenings can help you identify cancer early when it’s easier to treat.

middle aged women thinking about breast cancer risk factors

Diagnosing breast cancer 

Doctors typically diagnose breast cancer using imaging tests. If you have concerning symptoms, an imaging test may help determine what could be causing the symptoms. Your provider may also order another imaging test if a screening mammogram detects a suspicious spot or abnormality.

Based on the results of the imaging test, you may need a procedure called a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis.

Breast cancer stages

Several tests are used to measure a cancer’s stage. Staging depends on the size and grade of a tumor, how far it has spread and whether it has protein receptors (also called biomarkers). The stage of your cancer will help determine your treatment.

In general, breast cancer is staged from 0 to IV. Stage 0 cancer is the lowest stage. These cancers are noninvasive and often labeled as “carcinoma in situ.” Stage IV cancers are the most advanced form of the condition and are often referred to as metastatic breast cancer, which means it has spread outside the breast to the bones, lungs, liver or brain.

consulting with a doctor about breast cancer stages

Treatment for breast cancer

Breast cancer treatment could include surgery, radiation therapy or medications. Your breast cancer care team will work with you to develop a treatment plan based on the stage and type of your condition. Your team can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each treatment, so you can choose the options that work best for your long-term health and life goals and understand what type of follow-up care you may need after treatment.

How to prevent breast cancer

You can’t always prevent breast cancer, especially if you have genetic mutations or other risk factors beyond your control. However, you can take steps to protect yourself from breast cancers associated with lifestyle behaviors.

  • Breastfeed if you plan to have children.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Some evidence suggests that getting more fiber and eating more fruits and vegetables may lower your risk. A healthy diet will also help you stay at a healthy weight.
  • Exercise regularly. The American Cancer Society recommends getting at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.
  • Limit your alcohol intake. Research has shown that drinking even one drink a day can have an impact on breast cancer risk.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Aim for a body mass index of between 18.5 and 24.9. Your BMI is a measure of your height compared with your weight.
  • Quit smoking. You’ll reduce your risk for breast and many other cancers.

Breast cancer screening

While breast cancer screenings cannot prevent cancer, they can identify it in its early stages, when you have more options for treatment.

We support recommendations that women of average risk for breast cancer begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. You may need earlier or more frequent screenings if you have factors that put you at high risk, such as a family history, a history of breast cancer or known genetic mutations.

Our high-risk breast screening program provides tools to help you understand your risk and connect with care that fits your needs.

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Why Baylor Scott & White for breast cancer

When you choose us for your breast cancer care, you get access to multiple specialists, support services, clinical trials, patient navigators and more across Texas. Our cancer care team not only treats your breast cancer but also cares for you as a person.

From prevention to life after cancer, we guide you through your entire journey, and often, you don’t have to travel far. With the largest network of cancer centers in Texas, we bring advanced breast cancer treatment and years of expertise straight to you.

Breast cancer care near you

We help you get care at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations for your care, including specialized breast cancer centers in North and Central Texas.

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