About breast cancer
There is no certain way to prevent breast cancer, however it is widely accepted that finding it early saves lives and improves treatment outcomes.
This is why it is important to be aware of any changes to your breasts and have regular mammograms.
There are also some things that may increase or reduce your risk.
Risk factors for breast cancer
Being female and increasing age are the most important risk factors for breast cancer.
Other things that can increase your risk of breast cancer include:
- a previous diagnosis of breast cancer
- a close relative, for example, a daughter, sister, aunt, mother or grandmother who developed breast cancer (especially if in both breasts), or ovarian cancer
- inheriting a faulty gene
- exposure to repeated high-dose radiation
- a previous breast biopsy showing a condition that increases risk
- having dense breasts.
The likelihood of breast cancer also increases with age.
Talk to your GP or healthcare provider about your personal risk of breast cancer.
If you have a family history, you may have a slightly higher risk. However, most people who develop breast cancer have no family history of it. This is why it is important to be aware of any changes to your breasts and have regular mammograms regardless of your family history.
Breast cancer in women with a family history usually happens before age 70. For women over 70 with a family history, the risk is only slightly higher than for women of the same age with no family history.
Women with a family history of breast cancer, or those with gene mutations, should discuss management with their healthcare provider.
You may have heard about increased breast density, which can make it harder to diagnose breast cancer from a mammogram and may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.
Breast density relates to the relative amount of fibrous and glandular tissue (non-fatty) compared to fatty tissue in the breast as seen on a mammogram, not how the breasts look or feel. This can be influenced by:
- genetics
- age
- weight
- hormonal treatments
- ethnicity
- physical activity.
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is considering the use of artificial intelligence to measure breast density in the future.
For more information see the 'Know your own risk' webpage on the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ website.
Know your own risk — Breast Cancer Foundation NZexternal link
Reducing your risk of breast cancer
There are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, including:
- keep within a healthy weight range.
- exercising regularly
- limiting how much you drink and stopping smoking.
Symptoms of breast cancer
There may be no warning signs that you have breast cancer. Some signs and symptoms may include:
- a new lump in the breast or armpit
- changes to the breast shape or size
- changes to the skin of the breast such as dimpling, puckering, or thickening
- changes in the nipple such as turning inwards, ulcers, or a new itch
- nipple discharge or bleeding
- persistent redness
- pain in the breast that does not go away.
It is important that you take the time to learn the normal look and feel of your breasts. Knowing what is normal will help to find any breast changes. It is important new changes are checked by your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Diagnosing breast cancer
Early diagnosis of breast cancer while it is still small gives you the best chance of better treatment outcomes and recovery. Having regular mammograms can help find breast cancer early.
If you notice a change in your breasts, or a mammogram picks up something unusual, you may need to have further tests. These could include:
- having a diagnostic mammogram
- a physical breast examination — done by a health professional, such as a doctor or nurse
- an ultrasound scan of the area of interest
- an MRI scan
- a needle biopsy (taking a tissue sample to look at under a microscope).
Treating breast cancer
The treatment for breast cancer depends on the type and stage (how far it has spread), your age, general health and preferences.
Treatment options may include:
- breast conserving surgery (a wide local excision to remove the cancer and a rim of normal tissue) or a mastectomy (removal of the breast)
- x-rays to destroy the cancer cells (radiation therapy)
- medicines to stop the growth and spread of cancer (hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy).
The Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ have has more detailed information on breast cancer treatments.
Treatment of breast cancer — Cancer Societyexternal link
Treatment options — Breast Cancer Foundation NZexternal link
Breast cancer recovery videos
These videos show post-operative recovery exercises for women in the early weeks following mastectomy, breast conserving surgery or lymph node removal.
They are supported by Otago Medical School, Cancer Society, and the Breast Cancer Foundation.
English: Exercises after breast cancer surgery — YouTubeexternal link
English for Pacific women: Exercises after breast cancer surgery — YouTubeexternal link
Te reo: He koringa mō muri i te hāpara mate pukupuku ū — YouTubeexternal link
Samoan: Fa'amalositino Pe 'A Mae' Le Ta'otoga o le Kanesa o le Susu — YouTubeexternal link