Breast cancer can be invasive or non-invasive (in-situ). When people talk about breast cancer, they usually mean invasive breast cancer. This is when cancer cells have spread outside the milk ducts or lobules where they started into surrounding breast tissue.

A lump in the breast is the most common symptom of breast cancer. Most breast lumps are not cancer but it is always important to get checked by your doctor. Women who have symptoms usually begin by seeing their GP. They will examine you and refer you to a breast clinic. You should get an appointment within 2 weeks.

Some women are referred through the NHS breast screening programme. Breast screening is a way of finding breast cancer at an early stage, when it is too small to be felt or seen.

Common tests to diagnose breast cancer include mammography, ultrasound scans & biopsy.

The first treatment for breast cancer is often surgery to remove it. Some women may have treatment, such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, before surgery. This is called neo-adjuvant treatment. Radiotherapy may also be offered after surgery, to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.

For extensive information, please visit the Macmillan Website here.