Breast Cancer
Breast cancer develops when cells in the breast grow out of control and form a tumor. It most often starts in the milk ducts or lobules, but it can affect anyone with breast tissue.
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease that begins when breast cells change and grow in an uncontrolled way. These cells can form a tumor in the breast, most often in the ducts that carry milk or the lobules that make milk. Some breast cancers stay within the area where they started, while others can grow into nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer is much more common in women, but men can also develop it. Many people diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease, which is why breast awareness and regular mammograms are important parts of early detection.
Why Choose Baptist Health for Breast Cancer Care
At Baptist Health Cancer Care, breast cancer care is guided by a multidisciplinary team that works together to understand your diagnosis and recommend a plan tailored to your needs. Your team may include breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, reconstructive surgeons, breast imaging specialists, genetic counselors, nurses, patient navigators and support specialists.
Baptist Health Cancer Care brings together advanced breast imaging, personalized treatment planning, clinical research, rehabilitation, survivorship support and compassionate guidance. From screening and diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care, our goal is to help you feel informed, supported and confident about your next step.
Breast Cancer Awareness: Real Stories. Real Strength.
October Breast Cancer Awareness Events
Real Stories. Real Strength.
Young Women's Support Group
Schedule Your Mammogram
Women's Cancer Center
Where Does Breast Cancer Develop?
Breast cancer most often develops in the ducts, which are the small tubes that carry milk to the nipple, or in the lobules, which are the glands that make milk. It can also develop in other breast tissues, though this is less common.
Because breast tissue extends toward the underarm, some breast changes may also be felt near the armpit or under the arm.
Types of Breast Cancer
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, begins in the milk ducts and has not spread beyond where it first formed.
- Invasive ductal carcinoma: Invasive ductal carcinoma begins in the milk ducts and grows into nearby breast tissue. It is the most common type of breast cancer.
- Invasive lobular carcinoma: Invasive lobular carcinoma begins in the lobules, the glands that make milk, and grows into nearby breast tissue.
- Triple-negative breast cancer: Triple-negative breast cancer does not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors or excess HER2 protein, which can affect treatment options.
- HER2-positive breast cancer: HER2-positive breast cancer has higher levels of HER2 protein, which can help cancer cells grow.
- Inflammatory breast cancer: Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type that can cause breast swelling, redness or skin changes.
- Breast cancer in men: Breast cancer in men is rare, but men can develop breast cancer and should talk with a physician about new breast lumps, nipple changes or other breast changes.
Who Is Affected by Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer can affect people of any sex, but it is far more common in women. Risk generally increases with age, and many breast cancers are diagnosed in women age 50 and older.
Family history and inherited gene changes can raise risk, but most people diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a known inherited mutation. Knowing your personal risk can help you and your physician decide when to begin screening and whether genetic counseling may be helpful.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer symptoms can vary by person, tumor location and cancer type. Some breast cancers do not cause symptoms and are found on a mammogram.
Symptoms may include:
- A lump or thickened area in the breast or underarm
- Changes in breast size, shape or appearance
- Nipple discharge that is not breast milk
- Nipple changes, including inversion, redness, scaling or thickening
- Skin changes, such as dimpling, redness, flaking or pitting
- Breast or nipple pain
Diagnosis may involve several steps to understand whether a breast change is cancer and what type it may be.
Common tests may include:
- Medical history and physical exam
- Mammogram or other breast imaging
- Breast ultrasound or breast MRI
- Biopsy
- Lab testing on tissue samples
Treatment for Breast Cancer
Breast cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer, stage, tumor features, location, overall health and personal preferences. Your care team may recommend one treatment or a combination of treatments.
- Surgery: Surgery may remove cancer while preserving as much healthy breast tissue as possible, when appropriate.
- Breast reconstruction: Reconstruction may rebuild or reshape the breast after lumpectomy or mastectomy.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses targeted energy to treat cancer cells and lower the chance of cancer returning in the treated area.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses medicine to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth.
- Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy may be used for breast cancers that grow in response to certain hormones.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy focuses on specific features of cancer cells, such as HER2 status.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy may help the immune system recognize and attack certain cancer cells.
- Clinical trials: Clinical trials may be available for some patients, depending on the diagnosis and trial criteria.
- Supportive care: Supportive care can help manage symptoms, side effects and quality-of-life concerns during treatment.
Life After Treatment
Life after breast cancer treatment can bring physical, emotional and practical changes. Follow-up care helps your team monitor your health, manage side effects, watch for signs that cancer has returned and support your long-term well-being.
Your care team may connect you with nutrition support, exercise guidance, rehabilitation, mental health services, support groups, lymphedema care or survivorship resources. Recovery looks different for everyone, and support is available as you move forward.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Having a risk factor does not mean you caused your cancer or that you will develop cancer. It means your chance may be higher than someone without that risk factor.
Risk factors that cannot be changed may include:
- Age
- Being female
- Personal history of breast cancer or certain breast conditions
- Family history of breast cancer
- Inherited gene changes, such as BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2
- Dense breast tissue
- Prior radiation exposure to the chest
Risk factors that may be changed or managed may include:
- Not being physically active
- Excess body weight, especially after menopause
- Alcohol use
- Tobacco use
- Certain hormone therapies
Talking with a physician can help you understand your personal risk. If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, genetic counseling may help guide screening and prevention decisions.
Screening & Prevention for Breast Cancer
Screening can help find breast cancer early, often before symptoms appear. Baptist Health supports routine mammograms for women at average risk starting at age 40, and some people may need earlier or additional screening based on personal or family risk.
Ways to support breast health may include:
- Keeping up with recommended mammograms
- Knowing what is normal for your breasts
- Talking with a physician about personal and family history
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying physically active
- Avoiding tobacco
- Limiting alcohol
- Asking whether genetic counseling is appropriate
Outcomes & Prognosis
Outcomes for breast cancer vary from person to person. Prognosis may depend on the cancer type, stage at diagnosis, whether the cancer has spread, tumor grade, biomarker status, age, overall health and how the cancer responds to treatment.
Early detection and regular follow-up care are important. Your care team can explain what your diagnosis means, what factors may affect your outlook and what follow-up plan is recommended after treatment.
Breast Cancer by the Numbers
Knowledge and early detection are powerful tools in the fight against breast cancer.
women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime
of cases are linked to inherited genetic mutations
annual mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, or earlier if you have risk factors
survival rate when breast cancer is detected early
Our Breast Cancer Experts
Baptist Health Cancer Care breast cancer teams may include medical oncologists, breast surgeons, radiation oncologists, reconstructive surgeons, breast imaging specialists, genetic counselors, pathologists, nurses, patient navigators, rehabilitation specialists and supportive care professionals who work together to guide diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
Surgical Oncologists
Medical Oncologists
Radiation Oncologists
Reconstructive Surgeons
Rehabilitation Oncologists
Patient Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in breast cells. It most often begins in the milk ducts or lobules and may be found through symptoms, a physical exam or a mammogram.
-
Breast cancer symptoms can vary, and some people have no symptoms at first. Possible signs may include:
- A new lump in the breast or underarm
- A change in breast size or shape
- Nipple discharge that is not breast milk
- Skin dimpling, redness, thickening or flaking
- Nipple changes, such as inversion or scaling
- Breast or nipple pain
-
Yes. Men can get breast cancer, although it is rare. Men should talk with a physician if they notice a breast lump, nipple discharge, skin changes or other breast changes.
-
Breast cancer may be diagnosed using a physical exam, breast imaging and biopsy. Imaging may include a mammogram, ultrasound or breast MRI, depending on the findings and the person’s risk.
-
Breast cancer treatment depends on the diagnosis, stage, tumor features and overall health. Treatment may include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Clinical trials
- Supportive care
-
Talk with a physician if you notice a new lump, nipple discharge, breast swelling, skin changes, nipple changes or breast pain that does not go away. Many breast changes are not cancer, but an evaluation can help rule out serious causes.
-
Screening does not prevent breast cancer, but it can help find cancer early, when treatment may be more effective. Your physician can help you decide when to begin screening and whether additional tests are needed based on your personal risk.
-
After treatment, follow-up care helps monitor your health and manage side effects or long-term concerns. Support may include rehabilitation, nutrition guidance, emotional support, survivorship care and ongoing monitoring.