Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 321,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States in 2026. The organization also projects approximately 60,730 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive form of breast cancer, and 42,140 breast cancer deaths among women this year. About 1 in 8 women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the USA. During this month, let’s raise awareness about screening, early detection, and treatment.
Understanding Breast Cancer
Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast grow out of control.
Most cases begin in the milk ducts or the lobules, the glands that make milk. Some cancers stay in place. This is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Others invade nearby tissue and are called invasive cancers.
The stage at diagnosis matters a lot. About 66% of cases are found while the cancer is still localized, meaning it has not spread outside the breast. The five-year survival rate for localized disease is over 99%. If the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, that rate drops to about 33%.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Some people have no symptoms at all and learn about the cancer from a mammogram. That is why screening matters. Women who get regular mammograms have a 26% lower risk of dying from breast cancer. Still, knowing your own body helps. Explore the early signs of breast cancer here:
New Lumps or Thickening
A new lump in the breast or underarm is the best-known sign. Part of the breast may also feel thick or swollen.
Breast Shape or Size Changes
One breast may look larger, lower, or different in shape than before.
Skin Changes
Look for dimpling, puckering, or redness.
Nipple Retraction or Inversion
A nipple that turns inward or changes direction can point to a problem underneath.
Unusual Nipple Discharge
Fluid that is not breast milk needs attention, especially if it is bloody.
Skin Irritation or Flaking
Redness or flaky skin around the nipple or on the breast that does not go away should be checked.
Persistent Local Pain
Breast pain is usually not caused by cancer. But pain in one spot that does not go away should be looked at.
Key Causes of Breast Cancer
There is no single cause of breast cancer. Doctors look at risk factors instead. Recent survey data shows that more than 85% of women with breast cancer have no family history of it. It also estimates that alcohol accounts for about 16% of cases and physical inactivity for about 7%. So both what you inherit and what you do can play a part.
Primary Risk Factors (Uncontrollable)
Being Female: Women make up more than 99% of cases. Men have a lifetime risk of about 1 in 755.
Increasing Age: Risk rises as you get older. About 16% of women with breast cancer are younger than 50, so most are older.
Genetics and Family History: Changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes raise risk. So does having a mother, sister, or daughter with the disease.
Hormone Exposure History: Starting periods at a young age, starting menopause late, having a first child later in life, or never giving birth may raise risk. Not breastfeeding is also a reason for breast cancer.
Modifiable Risk Factors (Lifestyle and Environment)
Alcohol Consumption: Specialists suggest more than one drink a day is a higher risk.
Obesity and Weight: Being overweight raises the risk of breast cancer after menopause.
Physical Inactivity: Experts advise 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity each week. Only 27% of women in its recent survey met that goal.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Long-term use of combined estrogen and progesterone therapy increases risk.
Radiation Exposure: Radiation therapy to the chest, especially when given at a young age, can raise the risk later in life.
Treatment Options for Breast Cancer
Treatment of breast cancer depends on the stage, the tumor type, and the patient’s health. Survival has improved a great deal. The overall five-year relative survival rate for women is about 92%, and the breast cancer death rate has dropped since the 1990s.
Local Treatments (Target the breast or specific area)
1. Surgery
Lumpectomy: Removes the tumor and a small margin of healthy tissue while preserving most of the breast.
Mastectomy: Removes all breast tissue. It can be a total mastectomy or a skin- or nipple-sparing procedure.
Lymph Node Surgery: A sentinel node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection checks for spread under the arm.
Breast Reconstruction: Rebuilds the breast shape using implants or tissue flaps. It can be done at the same time or later.
2. Radiation Therapy
Radiation uses high-energy X-rays or beams to destroy remaining cancer cells. It usually follows a lumpectomy and is used after mastectomy in some cases.
Systemic Treatments (Travel throughout the entire body)
Chemotherapy: Powerful medicines, taken by mouth or through a vein, kill fast-growing cancer cells. They can be given before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after it (adjuvant).
Hormone (Endocrine) Therapy: Blocks or lowers hormones like estrogen and progesterone for hormone receptor-positive (ER+ or PR+) cancers. Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors are common choices.
Targeted Therapy: Focuses on specific genes or proteins, such as HER2-positive drugs like trastuzumab or CDK4/6 inhibitors.
Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system find and attack cancer cells. It is most used for triple-negative breast cancer.
Conclusion
Breast cancer affects people at different ages, and its symptoms are not always easy to recognize. Learning about early warning signs, understanding risk factors, and following recommended screening guidance help people take informed steps toward breast health.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the USA. Make it a valuable time to share information and encourage screening.