Causes of breast cancer

Doctors do not know the exact causes of breast cancer. But there are risk factors that can increase your chance of developing it.

Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will get breast cancer. Also, having no risk factors does not mean you will not develop it.

Breast cancer is likely to be caused by a combination of different risk factors, rather than just one.

Symptoms of breast cancer

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.

It is important to see your GP if you have any of the following symptoms or notice anything that is unusual for you.

Possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer can include:

• a lump in the breast
• thickening of the skin or tissue of the breast
• dimpling of the skin of the breast
• a lump or swelling in either armpit
• a change in the shape or size of the breast, such as swelling in all or part of the breast
• a nipple turning in (inverted nipple)
• an eczema-like rash on the nipple
• discharge or bleeding from the nipple
• pain or discomfort in the breast that does not go away – this is rare.

A lump in the breast is the most common symptom of breast cancer. But most breast lumps are not cancer. They are usually filled with fluid and called cysts. Or they are made up of connective (fibrous) and glandular tissue and called fibroadenomas.

But it is very important to get checked by your GP if you have any of symptoms or notice anything else that is unusual for you. If breast cancer is diagnosed and treated early, treatment is more likely to be successful.

Sometimes a lump or another breast cancer symptom can be confused with normal breast changes that happen during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have breast cancer symptoms, it is important to see your GP. Your symptoms should be checked in the same way they would be if you were not pregnant.

We understand that showing any symptoms of what could be cancer is worrying. The most important thing is to speak to your GP as soon as possible.