Breast cancer: testing and treatment | NHS

What are the signs of breast cancer?

This means: what things might show you have breast cancer?

• You might feel a lump or bump in your breast.
• Your breast or armpit might swell.
• Your skin could look or feel different, like dimpled or red.
• Your nipple could change, like pulling in or leaking liquid.
• Your breast might hurt.

If you notice any of these signs, talk to a doctor. Try using pictures or ask someone to come with you to be sure you understand. You can also write down any questions you have.

How do doctors find out if someone has breast cancer?

Who can get breast cancer more easily?

Some people have a higher chance of getting breast cancer. Here are some things that can make the risk higher:

• Being older. The risk goes up as you get older.
• If someone in your family had breast cancer, like your mom or sister.
• Having certain genes that are known to increase risk.
• Starting your periods early or going through menopause late.
• Not being very active or being overweight.

It is important to check your breasts regularly and talk to a doctor about your risks.

For more help, you can:

• Use pictures or videos to learn more.
• Ask a friend or family member to explain or read with you.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is a special kind of picture taken of the inside of a breast. It helps doctors look for signs of cancer.

Helpful Tips:

• You can ask someone to explain it to you with simple words.
• Watch a video about mammograms to see how they work.
• Use pictures or drawings to understand better.

When should women get their first breast check-up?

Women should start getting their breast check-ups (called mammograms) at around 40 to 50 years old.

Here are some tips to help you remember:

• Set a reminder on your phone or calendar.
• Ask your doctor for advice about when to start.
• Talk to a family member or friend who has had a mammogram.

What can help if you have breast cancer?

What kinds of surgery help treat breast cancer?

What is radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is a treatment for cancer. It uses strong rays, like X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Doctors use machines to aim these rays at the part of the body with cancer.

If you or someone you know needs to understand more, it's a good idea to ask a doctor or nurse to explain in simple words. You can also use pictures or videos to help. It can be helpful to have someone with you to take notes of what the doctor or nurse says.

What is chemotherapy and how does it help fight cancer?

Doctors give chemo to treat cancer. Chemo uses strong medicine to kill cancer cells. These cells grow too fast and make you sick. The medicine can stop them from growing or kill them.

Chemo can come as a pill or a liquid. It travels through your blood to reach all parts of your body. This helps find and fight the cancer wherever it is hiding.

Some people feel tired or sick when they take chemo. But it can help make cancer go away.

Talking with your doctor or nurse can help you understand chemo better. They can answer questions and help you feel better during treatment.

What is hormone therapy?

Hormone therapy is when doctors give people medicine to help balance hormones in the body. Hormones are special chemicals that tell the body what to do, like growing or changing. If someone has too much or too little of a hormone, this therapy can help.

Some people need hormone therapy to feel better because their body does not make the right amount of certain hormones.

If you want more help understanding hormone therapy, you can:

• Ask a doctor or a nurse to explain it to you.
• Use pictures to see how it works.
• It can help to talk to someone who has had hormone therapy.

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy is a kind of treatment for cancer.

It uses medicine to find and attack cancer cells. It tries to stop them from growing.

You can think of it like a smart medicine that knows where to aim. It does not hurt healthy cells as much as normal treatments might.

If reading is hard, you can ask someone to help you read. You can also use a computer to read it out loud for you, like a text reader.

Can breast cancer get better?

Breast cancer is a sickness in the breasts. Doctors try to help people get better with treatments. Treatments can include medicine, surgery, or special machines. Sometimes, people can get all better. Other times, the cancer can come back. It's important to talk to a doctor. They know the best ways to help.

Using simple tools can help. A calendar to keep track of appointments can be good. Ask someone you trust to help you remember things.

How can I lower my chance of getting breast cancer?

There are some things you can do to stay healthy and help reduce the chance of breast cancer.

• Eat Healthy: Eat fruits and vegetables every day. Try not to eat too much junk food.
• Move Your Body: Exercise and play. Try to play outside or do sports like walking or dancing.
• Don't Smoke: Smoking is bad for your body. Try not to start smoking.
• Limit Alcohol: If you drink alcohol, try to drink less.
• Check Your Body: Ask a doctor or nurse how to check for lumps in your breast.
• Talk to a Doctor: Go to the doctor for check-ups.

Ask a family member or friend to help you with these steps. You can also use tools like picture charts or reminders to keep track. If something is hard to understand, always ask someone for help.

What help can people with breast cancer get?

Here is how we can help people with breast cancer:

• Doctors and Nurses: They can give you medicine and look after you.
• Family and Friends: They can be there to support you and make you feel better.
• Support Groups: You can meet other people who have breast cancer. You can talk and share your feelings.
• Counselors: They can help you talk about your feelings and worries.
• Online Resources: There are websites and apps with lots of information. You can learn more about breast cancer and what to do.

These things can help people with breast cancer feel better and get the care they need.

What to Do if You Find a Lump in Your Breast

Finding a lump can be scary, but stay calm. Here are easy steps to follow:

1. Tell a family member or friend. They can help you feel better.
2. See a doctor. They can check it and tell you more.
3. Write down what you feel. This can help remember details for the doctor.

Using a calendar is a good tool to track how long the lump has been there.