Frequently Asked questions
Breast Cancer:
Breast Cancer
Q: What is breast cancer?
A: Cancer is a disease in which cells
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become abnormal and form more cells
in an uncontrolled way. With breast
cancer, the cancer begins in cells that
make up the breasts — usually in the
tubes that carry milk to the nipple or
the glands that make milk. The cancerous cells form a mass of tissue called a
tumor. Sometimes, the cancer spreads
to other parts of the body.
Q: Why should I be concerned
about breast cancer?
A: Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is
the most common cancer in American
women. It also is the second-leading
cancer killer of women, after lung cancer. Every woman has a chance of getting breast cancer. About 1 in 8 women
will find out she has breast cancer at
some point in her life. This might
sound scary. But today, most women
with breast cancer survive it. With
breast cancer screening, including mammograms, doctors often can find cancer
early. Treatment is more likely to work
well when cancer is found early. n
What You Need to Know
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the breast, it is called breast
cancer. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women.
Breast cancer screening means checking a woman’s breasts for cancer before she has any symptoms. A mammogram is
an X-ray picture of the breast. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and
before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.
Most women who are 50 to 74 years old should have a screening mammogram every two years. If you are 40 to 49
years old, or think you may have a higher risk of breast cancer, ask your doctor when to have a screening mammogram.
Some things may increase your risk
If you have risk factors, you may be more likely to get breast cancer. Talk
to your doctor about ways to lower your risk and about screening.
Reproductive risk factors
For more information
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For more information about breast cancer, call womenshealth.gov at 800-994-9662 or
contact the following organizations:
National Cancer Institute
Cancer Information Service
Phone number: 800-422-6237
Internet address: http://cis.nci .nih.gov
National Breast and Cervical Cancer
Early Detection Program
Phone number: 800-232-4636
Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/
cancer/nbccedp
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Phone number: 877-465-6636
Internet address: http://www.komen.org
All material contained in this FAQ is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied,
reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in the
Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
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Other risk factors
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Breast Cancer Network of Strength
Phone number: 800-221-2141
Internet address: http://www.
networkofstrength.org
American Cancer Society
Phone number: 800-227-2345
Internet address: http://www.cancer.gov/
aboutnci/cis
Being younger when you had your first menstrual period.
Never giving birth, or being older at the birth of your first child.
Starting menopause at a later age.
Using hormone replacement therapy for a long time.
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Getting older.
A personal history of breast cancer, dense breasts, or some other
breast problems.
A family history of breast cancer (parent, sibling, or child).
Changes in your breast cancer-related genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2).
Getting radiation therapy to the breast or chest.
Being overweight, especially after menopause.
Symptoms
Some warning signs of breast cancer are—
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A lump or pain in the breast.
Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
Redness or flaky skin on the breast.
Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
Fluid other than breast milk from the nipple, especially blood.
A change in the size or the shape of the breast.
Can’t afford a mammogram?
If you have a low income or do not have
insurance and are between the ages of
40 and 64, you may qualify for a free or
low-cost mammogram through CDC’s
National Breast and Cervical Cancer
Early Detection Program. To learn more,
call (800) CDC-INFO.
Other conditions can cause these symptoms. If you have any signs that worry you, call your doctor right away.
Content last updated December 8, 2008.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
More Information
www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/ • Twitter: @CDC_Cancer
(800) CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) • TTY: (888) 232-6348 • [email protected]
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control