October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to remind us of the importance of understanding this pervasive disease — and recognizing it early, whenever possible. Research is ongoing, and awareness is key. Here are five things you may not know about breast cancer.
1. Breast cancer can affect men, too.
While breast cancer is predominantly a women’s issue, it’s crucial to recognize that men can also be affected. Approximately 1% of breast cancer cases occur in men, translating to about 1 in 1,000.
In 2024, about 2,700 men in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer. “Men are often diagnosed at a later stage of breast cancer than women,” says Erica Kuhn, MPH, the Director of Health Information and Publications at Komen. “One reason could be that men may be less likely than women to report signs and symptoms as they may be unaware of them, which can lead to delays in diagnosis. Survival is highest when breast cancer is found early and treated.”
When diagnosed late, breast cancer tends to be more advanced and can be fatal. Men should pay attention to changes in their breast tissue and seek medical advice if they notice anything unusual.
“The most common warning sign of breast cancer in men is a painless lump or thickening in the breast or chest area,” says Amy Colver, MSSA, MA, LISW, Komen’s Senior Education and Online Content Specialist of Health Information and Publication. “However, any change in the breast, chest area, or nipple can be a warning sign of male breast cancer. Men are encouraged to see a health care provider if they notice any changes in these areas.”
Breast cancer in men occurs for the same reasons it occurs in women. Higher estrogen levels, genetics, family history, lifestyle, and other exposures all play a role. As with women, the inherited mutation of specific genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, making genetic testing important — especially with a known family history.
“Breast cancer in men is very rare. Even men with a known genetic mutation that predisposes them to breast cancer still have a relatively low risk of breast cancer,” says Rachael Lancaster, MD, an assistant professor of surgery within the UAB Division of Surgical Oncology who specializes in breast surgery at O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. “That being said, men should still be aware of any changes to their breast tissue and alert their primary care doctor should this happen.”
2. Mammograms should be combined with self-examinations.
“Mammograms with tomosynthesis (3D imaging) are now available, which have been shown to have a lower recall rate and improved cancer detection,” explains Dr. Lancaster. “Additionally, contrast-enhanced mammography is now available at many breast imaging centers and may have a role in breast cancer screenings for women with dense breast tissue.”
Regular mammograms are a vital tool for early breast cancer detection. Studies have shown that those diagnosed through regular screenings have a higher overall survival rate. However, mammograms aren’t always foolproof. That’s why combining mammograms with breast self-examinations (BSEs) remains an essential practice.
BSEs are performed in the same way regardless of gender. Each breast should be examined for changes such as dimpling, puckering, redness, or scaliness. The breasts should both be palpated by laying fingers flat against the breast and pressing down in a gentle circular motion, starting at the outer edge and moving inwards. The nipples should be visually examined and checked for clear or bloody discharge.
Erica tells us, “As part of the breast cancer community, we’ve done a good job communicating that a lump might be a warning sign of breast cancer. But we haven’t done as good of a job communicating the visual changes that should be reported to a health care provider.”
Six of the following eight warning signs are visual:
- A lump, hard knot, or thickening in the breast or underarm area
- Swelling, warmth, redness, or darkening of the breast
- Change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin of the breast
- Itchy, scaly sore, or rash on the nipple
- Pulling in of the nipple (inverted nipple) or other parts of the breast
- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
- New pain in one spot that does not go away
Being familiar with the normal look and feel of your breasts can help you notice changes early on, prompting timely medical evaluation. Finding a lump in your breast can be terrifying, but it’s important to remember that not all lumps are cancerous. Many are benign conditions like cysts or fibroadenomas. However, any new lump should always be checked by a healthcare professional to rule out cancer.
3. The Role of Genetics in Breast Cancer
Genetics plays a significant role in breast cancer, but it’s a complex relationship. According to the American Cancer Society, about 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary. Having a first-degree relative with breast cancer almost doubles your risk, while having two first-degree relatives will increase your risk three-fold.
Amy tells us, “Inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can be passed down from a mother or father to their son(s) or daughter(s). They’re known to increase the risk of breast cancer. Some inherited gene mutations slightly increase breast cancer risk, while others, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, greatly increase the risk.”
“Non-inherited risk factors are things that aren’t inherited from our mother or father,” Amy adds. “Some non-inherited risk factors that are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer include age and gaining weight after menopause, while others like exercise and breastfeeding are linked to a decreased risk of breast cancer.”
If you have a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing could provide valuable insights, regardless of your gender. Even if you’ve had a genetic test in the past, advancements in testing mean it could be worth having a new one done. It’s important to remember that having no family history doesn’t exclude you from risk; breast cancer can occur due to other lifestyle factors as well, some of which are choices that can be altered.
4. Environmental Factors Matter
While much focus is given to genetics in breast cancer, environmental factors also play a role. Lifestyle choices, exposure to certain chemicals, radiation, and even diet can influence breast cancer risk. While research is ongoing, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and minimizing exposure to potential environmental hazards are proactive steps you can take.
Being overweight or obese and being physically inactive are two factors that have been linked to breast cancer risk, but the link between diet and breast cancer is less clear. This remains an area of active research.
Chemicals in the environment, such as plastics, cosmetics, cleaning products, personal care products, and pesticides, have been of particular interest because they are thought to have estrogen-like properties. Although, in theory, this could affect breast cancer risk, there aren’t enough conclusive studies in the area since this correlation is challenging to study.
“Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight, especially after menopause, has been shown to reduce breast cancer risk,” Dr. Lancaster says. “Many studies suggest breastfeeding your child may lower the risk of breast cancer. Consuming several drinks of alcohol daily has also been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.”
Studies show that healthy lifestyle choices are linked to a lower risk of breast cancer. Being physically active, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and limiting menopausal hormone use are some things linked to a lower risk of breast cancer.
“It’s important for people to talk with their health care provider about their risk of breast cancer so they can make important decisions about their health, including when to start and how often to get screened,” Amy shares.
5. New Targeted Treatments Improve Survival Rates
The mainstays of breast cancer treatments are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. Scientists continually study novel treatments and drugs, as well as new combinations of existing treatments.
The development of new targeted treatments is promising news in the fight against breast cancer. These therapies focus on specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as a protein that allows them to grow rapidly or abnormally.
Erica says, “Some tools are under study for breast cancer screening and early detection, such as using artificial intelligence (AI) to read mammograms. Researchers are studying whether AI can tell which mammograms show a low chance of breast cancer versus a higher chance of breast cancer. They’re also studying whether AI can find as many breast cancers on mammograms as radiologists do. However, more research is needed to know whether AI might become a part of breast cancer screening.”
Breast cancer awareness goes beyond wearing pink ribbons. By understanding these lesser-known facts, you can take proactive steps to better monitor your health and support those around you. Remember, early detection and informed choices are your best allies in the fight against breast cancer!
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