October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual observance focused on increasing awareness of breast cancer, encouraging appropriate screening and early detection, supporting people affected by the disease, and sharing reliable health information.
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. While some risk factors cannot be changed, understanding your personal risk, recognizing breast changes, following recommended screening guidelines, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can help you take a proactive approach to breast health.
At Rural Health Community Center, we believe access to preventive care and reliable health information can help individuals and families make informed decisions about their health.
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in breast tissue grow uncontrollably and may invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer can develop in different areas of the breast, including the milk ducts and milk-producing lobules.
Breast cancer can affect both women and men, although it is much more common in women.
The type, stage, and characteristics of breast cancer help healthcare professionals determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Breast Cancer: Key Facts to Know
Understanding breast cancer and its risk factors is an important part of breast health awareness.
How Common Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, particularly among women. According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk of developing invasive breast cancer for women in the United States is approximately 1 in 8.
Breast cancer can also occur in men, although it is rare. The American Cancer Society estimates that a man’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is approximately 1 in 746.
Because individual risk varies, talking with a healthcare professional about your personal and family health history can help determine whether you may need additional screening or evaluation.
What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?
Some breast cancer risk factors cannot be changed, while others may be influenced by lifestyle or preventive choices.
Common risk factors include:
- Age: The risk of breast cancer generally increases with age.
- Family history: Having close relatives with breast or certain other cancers may increase your risk.
- Inherited genetic mutations: Changes in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can substantially increase breast cancer risk.
- Personal health history: A previous breast cancer diagnosis or certain breast conditions may increase risk.
- Dense breast tissue: Dense breasts can be associated with a higher risk of breast cancer and can also make some cancers more difficult to detect on mammograms.
- Hormonal and reproductive factors: Certain reproductive and hormonal factors can influence breast cancer risk.
- Physical inactivity: Regular physical activity is associated with several health benefits and may help lower breast cancer risk.
- Alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
- Excess body weight after menopause: Being overweight or obese after menopause can increase breast cancer risk.
Having a risk factor does not mean that you will develop breast cancer. Likewise, people without obvious risk factors can still develop the disease.
What Are the Warning Signs of Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer does not always cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Some breast cancers are found through screening before symptoms develop.
Possible warning signs include:
- A new lump or mass in the breast or underarm
- Thickening or swelling in part or all of the breast
- A change in breast size or shape
- Skin dimpling or irritation
- Redness, scaling, or changes in the skin of the breast or nipple
- A nipple that turns inward or changes in appearance
- Nipple discharge that is not breast milk
- Persistent breast or nipple pain
- A noticeable change in the appearance of one breast
Not every breast change means cancer. Many breast changes are caused by noncancerous conditions. However, a new or unusual change should be evaluated by a healthcare professional rather than ignored.
If you are due for preventive care, you can also learn more about the importance of routine checkups in rural healthcare.
What Are the Main Types of Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer includes several different types. The most common include:
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
Invasive ductal carcinoma begins in the milk ducts and grows into surrounding breast tissue. It is the most common type of invasive breast cancer.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
Invasive lobular carcinoma begins in the lobules, which are the glands that produce breast milk, and can spread into surrounding breast tissue.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
DCIS involves abnormal cells confined to the milk ducts. It is considered a non-invasive or pre-invasive breast cancer because the abnormal cells have not invaded surrounding breast tissue.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer does not have receptors for estrogen or progesterone and does not have an excess of the HER2 protein. Because it lacks these common treatment targets, treatment approaches may differ from those used for other breast cancer subtypes.
How Is Breast Cancer Detected?
Breast cancer detection may involve screening tests, clinical evaluation, or diagnostic testing, depending on a person’s age, risk factors, symptoms, and previous screening results.
Mammograms
A mammogram is an X-ray examination of the breast used to screen for breast cancer and evaluate certain breast changes.
Screening recommendations can vary based on age, personal risk, family history, and the guideline being followed. Rather than assuming everyone needs the same screening schedule, discuss the appropriate timing and frequency of mammograms with your healthcare professional.
People with a higher-than-average risk may need additional screening or earlier evaluation.
Clinical Evaluation
A healthcare professional may examine the breasts and nearby lymph nodes when someone reports a new breast change or has an abnormal screening result.
Diagnostic Breast Imaging
If a screening mammogram shows an abnormality or you notice a concerning breast change, your healthcare provider may recommend additional diagnostic imaging, such as a diagnostic mammogram or breast ultrasound.
Additional testing does not automatically mean that cancer is present. It is often performed to better understand an area that needs closer evaluation.
Should You Perform Breast Self-Exams?
Breast self-awareness is an important part of knowing what is normal for your body.
Rather than relying only on a scheduled monthly self-exam, become familiar with the usual appearance and feel of your breasts. This can help you recognize changes that may need medical evaluation.
Pay attention to:
- New lumps or thickening
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Skin changes
- Nipple changes
- Unusual discharge
- Persistent pain or other changes that concern you
If you notice something unusual, contact a healthcare professional for an evaluation.
When Should You Talk to a Doctor About a Breast Change?
You should consider contacting a healthcare professional if you notice:
- A new lump in your breast or underarm
- An unexplained change in breast size or shape
- Persistent breast or nipple pain
- Nipple discharge unrelated to breastfeeding
- Skin dimpling, redness, scaling, or thickening
- A newly inverted nipple
- Any breast change that is new, unusual, or concerning
Early evaluation can help determine whether the change is benign or requires further testing.
Regular preventive visits can also help you stay up to date with age- and risk-appropriate screenings. Learn more about the importance of annual physical exams.
How Can You Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer?
Not every breast cancer can be prevented, but certain lifestyle choices may help lower risk.
Stay Physically Active
Regular physical activity supports overall health and may help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Aim for a level of activity that fits your health and abilities.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight, particularly after menopause, may help reduce breast cancer risk.
Limit Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Limiting or avoiding alcohol can reduce this risk.
Know Your Family History
Tell your healthcare provider if close relatives have had breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, or certain other cancers.
Your family history may help determine whether genetic counseling or additional screening should be considered.
Discuss Genetic Testing When Appropriate
Some people have inherited genetic changes that increase their risk of breast cancer. If your personal or family history suggests an increased risk, your healthcare provider may recommend genetic counseling and, when appropriate, genetic testing.
Why Is Early Detection Important?
Early detection can help identify breast cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment may be more effective.
Screening is designed to identify certain cancers before symptoms appear, while diagnostic testing helps evaluate symptoms or abnormalities that have already been identified.
However, screening recommendations are not identical for everyone. Your healthcare provider can help determine the appropriate approach based on:
- Age
- Personal medical history
- Family history
- Genetic risk
- Previous breast imaging
- Breast density
- Other individual risk factors
For overall preventive care, explore our family medicine services.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: How Can You Get Involved?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to do more than wear pink. You can take meaningful steps to support yourself and others.
Prioritize Your Own Health
Check whether you are up to date with recommended preventive screenings. If you have postponed a healthcare visit, consider scheduling one.
You can also review your personal and family health history and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
Encourage Loved Ones to Get Screened
Talk with family members and friends about the importance of appropriate breast cancer screening and being aware of changes in breast health.
Support People Affected by Breast Cancer
A diagnosis can affect a person’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Offering practical support, listening without judgment, or helping someone access healthcare can make a meaningful difference.
Share Reliable Information
Help reduce misinformation by sharing information from trusted healthcare organizations and medical professionals.
Support Access to Care
Supporting organizations and community initiatives that improve access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive services can help address healthcare disparities.
Breast Cancer Awareness Resources
Reliable information can help you make informed decisions about breast health. Useful resources include:
- American Cancer Society – Breast cancer information, screening, treatment, and support resources.
- Susan G. Komen – Breast cancer education, support, and resources.
- National Breast Cancer Foundation – Breast cancer education, patient resources, and programs supporting access to care.
- Breastcancer.org – Information about breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and living with the disease.
- Breast Cancer Research Foundation – Breast cancer research and educational resources.
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer – Education and support for people affected by breast cancer.
- Young Survival Coalition – Support and resources for young adults affected by breast cancer.
- The Pink Fund – Financial assistance resources for eligible breast cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Take Action for Your Breast Health
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder that breast health should be a year-round priority.
Know your risk factors, pay attention to changes in your breasts, follow screening recommendations appropriate for your age and risk level, and talk with a healthcare professional when something does not feel or look right.
Preventive healthcare is an important part of staying healthy at every stage of life. You can explore more health education through the Rural Health Community Center blog or contact our team to learn more about available healthcare services.
Awareness starts with information. Early action starts with you.