Six top questions about breast cancer, answered

It’s likely that you know someone who’s received a breast cancer diagnosis. After all, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in U.S. women, except for skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).   

If you get regular mammograms, congratulations. Screenings are one of the best ways to catch breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. And they continue to be important throughout most of your life.   

But there’s no doubt that many women worry about getting breast cancer. Here’s where a little knowledge is a good thing.   

Learning more about the risks can help you feel calmer. And it’s important to remember that having risk factors for breast cancer doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the disease.   

Read on to find straight answers to some common questions.   

Am I more likely to get breast cancer as I get older?

Yes. The chance of getting the disease goes up as you age. Most breast cancers are found in women 55 and older, according to the ACS. Only a small number of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45. 

And the risk that a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer increases in her 60s and 70s. That’s why staying on top of your screenings is key.  

If you do get a diagnosis, there can be a lot to be hopeful about. Treatment has come a long way in the past few decades. “You can be cured of breast cancer at age 75 or older,” says Mary Chamberlin, M.D. She’s a breast oncologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. “We’ve cured people in their 90s of breast cancer, so it just depends on the situation.”  

What are my other risks?   

Your biggest risk is simply being female, says the ACS. Women make up 99 percent of those diagnosed with breast cancer. And besides getting older, other risk factors include:    
 
Family history. You’re more likely to get breast cancer if your mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

Dense breast tissue. This makes it harder to see cancer on a mammogram.  You’ll likely know if you have dense breasts from a past mammogram report. But ask your doctor if you’re not sure.  

Reproductive history. Your risk for breast cancer may be higher if:   

• You started your period before the age of 12.  
• You started menopause after age 55.  
• You were pregnant after 30, never breastfed, or never had a full-term pregnancy.   

Lifestyle. Don’t get much physical activity? Are you overweight? Do you drink too much alcohol or smoke? Those factors may add up to higher risk. Ask your doctor if any daily habits may affect your risk. And read “Is there anything I can do to lower my odds of getting breast cancer?” below for more info. 

Inherited gene changes. Women who have genetic (passed on from parents) mutations to certain genes are at higher risk.    

Other factors. Race, ethnicity, having a personal history of breast cancer, having radiation to your chest, and having certain benign breast conditions can also increase your risk. 

Does a lump mean I have breast cancer?   

People often think that a lump in the breast automatically means you have breast cancer. But there are many reasons you may feel a lump. For starters, lots of women have lumpy, ropey, or uneven breasts.  
 
It is also common to get cysts or fibrocystic changes after your period, says the Mayo Clinic. 
  
Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel is important. That way you can notice if anything has changed. If you feel something that’s different, call your doctor to get it checked out, says Dr. Chamberlin.  

The following symptoms may be warning signs of breast cancer, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology:  

• A lump that feels like a hard knot the breast or underarm  
• Thickening in any part of the breast 
• Breast skin is dimpled (may look like the outside of an orange) or irritated  
• The skin around the breast or nipple area is red or flaky 
• Nipple looks like it is pulling inward or is painful 
• Nipple discharge (may be bloody) 
• Changes in breast size or shape 
• Breast pain  

“If there’s something there, either on a mammogram or it’s a lump that you feel, the best way is to have a detailed, thoughtful discussion with your doctor and to have a biopsy,” says Dr. Chamberlin. A biopsy is used to determine whether it is breast cancer. The doctor removes a small area of suspicious breast tissue and sends it to a lab to be examined.  

Is there anything I can do to lower my odds of getting breast cancer?  

Anyone can get breast cancer. But there are some habits you can control that can reduce your risk.  
  
If you smoke cigarettes, quit. Women who have smoked for more than 10 years may have an increased risk of breast cancer, according to the Susan G. Komen organization. Drinking too much alcohol can also raise your risk. Limit that glass of wine or beer to one drink a day or less.   
More smart moves? Get regular physical activity and eat a healthy diet. If you’re overweight, both these habits can help you stay at a healthy weight. And that can reduce your breast cancer risk. Some easy ways to get moving: Take a brisk walk, do yardwork, or ride your bike.  

Do only women get breast cancer?   

Men can get breast cancer, too, though it is rare. Male breast cancer makes up less than 1 percent of all breast cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. It usually occurs in men between the ages of 60 and 70.   

Having female relatives with breast cancer can increase a man’s risk. So can inherited gene mutations or having radiation to the chest.   

It’s important that any man in your life reports symptoms (such as a breast lump or nipple changes) to his doctor. Since breast cancer is seen as a “women’s disease,” men may ignore symptoms, reports the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. That means they may be diagnosed later, when the disease has advanced.  

How often should women get mammograms?  

A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast that can detect cancer in its earliest stages. Different organizations recommend different timelines, so your doctor can guide you. Here are general guidelines for women of all ages:  

• For women between 40 and 74 years. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women get screening mammograms every other year from age 40 until age 74. The ACS recommends an annual screening from age 45 to 54, with screenings every one or two years after that for as long as a woman is in good health. 
• For women ages 75 and older. Have a conversation with your doctor about the best screening schedule for you.   

See our sources:  
Breast cancer statistics: American Cancer Society  
Risk factors: American Cancer Society; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  
Breast cancer symptoms: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Cysts: Mayo Clinic 
Breast cancer in men: National Cancer Institute  
Male breast cancer symptoms: Breast Cancer Research Foundation  
Mammogram guidelines: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; American Cancer Society