Each year, about 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. It is more common in women over 50, but it can also affect younger women.

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 in the breasts where they started, into surrounding breast tissue.

People who have breasts include women, transgender (trans) men and people assigned female at birth.

We have information about non-invasive breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). It is the earliest possible form of breast cancer and is usually found during routine breast screening.

Breast cancer in men is rare. We have more information for men with breast cancer.

If you are LGBTQ+ and living with cancer, we have further information and support.