Breast Cancer 101: Sign, Symptoms and Treatment

Did you know breast cancer affects not only women but also men? Learn more about breast cancer: signs, symptoms and treatment.

In Australia, breast cancer is currently the 5th most common cause of cancer death in Australia. However, treatment success and survival rates have skyrocketed in the past few decades in Australia, and now the survival rate is 92% for the five years after diagnosis. While breast cancer can affect men as well as women, men with breast cancer make up 1% of those living with breast cancer in Australia. As with all cancers, the earlier the detection, the better chance of survival. We’ve compiled some important information about breast cancer, including early detection, to better equip you with knowledge about breast cancer.

Types of breast cancer

Main types of breast cancer

The typical kind of breast cancer the general public would know about is invasive breast cancer. There are also non-invasive breast cancers, which are carcinomas (cancer of the epithelial lining of glands) that sit in the lobules or milk ducts of the breast. These are sometimes considered precancerous and are easier to treat. However, if left untreated, they may develop into invasive cancer. These types of carcinomas will usually not come with symptoms but will be found on a routine mammogram or breast screening.

Invasive breast cancers are one that involves the breast tissue. This is when carcinomas from the ducts or lobules have developed into the breast tissue, and become invasive ductal carcinoma, or invasive lobular carcinoma. These types of cancers have a greater chance of metastasising – which means spreading into other tissues or glands, such as the lymph nodes. These are the types of cancers that will receive a stage, to know how far along the cancer has developed.

Subtypes of breastcancer

There are three main subtypes of invasive breast cancer. One of these types (hormone receptor positive breast cancer) responds to female hormones (estrogen/progesterone in order to grow), another type (HER2-positive breast cancer), have too much of a protein called human epidermal growth factor on their surface and thus grow at a more rapid rate, and the last type (triple negative breast cancer) has neither of these receptors and thus needs more broad treatment. Each type of cancer requires a different kind of treatment, some more localised than others, using different kinds of drugs depending on what is encouraging the cancer growth.

What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

Symptoms and signs may vary greatly depending on the type of breast cancer, and whether you are a male or female. You may be wondering what breast cancer looks like, what it feels like, and when to get it checked out. Generally, any change in the breast or nipple should be cause for concern and warrant a trip to the GP. Generally, some symptoms to watch out for include:

•         New lumps in the breast are, including the underarm/unpit
•         Thickness/swelling/dimpling of the breast area
•         Persistent irritation, redness, flakiness, or itchiness in the nipple
•         Dimpling or inversion of the nipple area
•         Bleeding or discharge from the nipple
•         Any change in size of shape of breast, i.e, new drooping
•         Any pain in the breast.

The best way to look for signs and symptoms is to conduct a self-breast check once a month. The best time to do this for women still menstruating is around the time of the month your period has finished, as premenstrual symptoms can cause tenderness and changes in breasts regardless.

You should stand in front of a mirror and observe the size and shape of your breasts and nipples, checking for differences from your normal. Do the same with your arms above your head. Then, feel around the breast area from your collarbone, to your ribs, and also underneath your arms, checking for any lumps. A GP can also conduct this test for you. By getting to know your own body and what is normal for you, you are better able to detect changes and abnormalities in the future.

If you’re over 40 and a woman, you’re eligible for free mammograms every two years. These can be referred through your GP. A mammogram looks for abnormalities or changes in your breast tissue. They can be uncomfortable but shouldn’t be painful, and are not invasive. They are your best tool for early detection and prevention of invasive breast cancer.

Causes of breast cancer

You may be wondering what causes breast cancer. Like many cancers, generic things such as your age, sex, family history, etc, all play a role. Previous radiation or chemotherapy also increases your risk of developing many types of cancer in the future, and breast cancer is involved in this. Lifestyle factors also influence cancer developing – your risk being higher if you smoke, heavily consume alcohol, exercise less than the recommended amount, and eat a diet lacking key nutrients.

However, due to the role hormones play in many types of breast cancer developing, there are a few other key risk factors and causes involved in developing breast cancer.

Not having carried a pregnancy to full term, or never having breastfed, increases your risk of developing breast cancer. So does some hormone replacement therapy, and some forms of oral contraceptives. While these events are no reason to stress about an increased risk of breast cancer, they are useful for your GP to know about to continually monitor your risk of breast cancer as you age.

Family history of breast and ovarian cancer is also closely linked to developing breast cancer. Developing these kinds of cancers usually involve a gene mutation that can be passed through the family lines. You can get tested for this gene mutation if it’s seen as appropriate by your GP.

Treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer

Breast Cancer will be diagnosed by a series of diagnostic imaging, including the aforementioned mammogram as a first line of diagnostic imaging. Further tests may include ultrasounds, biopsies, and genetic testing to figure out exactly the type of breast cancer you have. If there are concerns that cancer has spread, further tests will be carried out, and these may include blood tests, CT scans, PET scans, or bone scans.

You will be referred to an oncologist – a doctor who specialises in cancer – who will facilitate and manage your care.

Treatment can involve a multitude of different things depending on the type and severity of the cancer. Some treatments include:

• Surgery: surgery is indicated in most breast cancer diagnoses. This usually includes removing lymph nodes from the armpit, to prevent cancer spreading, as well as removing the affected part of the breast. This may mean removing a section of the breast, or undergoing a mastectomy, where all the breast is removed.
• Radiation: surgery is usually followed by radiation therapy, to further target the cancerous areas and cells, and to prevent the cancer from re-growing.
• Hormone therapy is indicated if you have the type of breast cancer that grows by feeding off female hormones. Drugs that inhibit hormone production can be prescribed alongside other treatments.
• Targeted therapy: there is a cohort of other drugs that can be prescribed to target specific cancer cells to slow growth. Your GP and oncologist will be able to determine if this is appropriate for the type of cancer you have.
• Chemotherapy: chemotherapy is indicated where the type of breast cancer is not responsive to hormone therapy. Chemotherapy is given intravenously and usually lasts about 3-6 months. This is a type of therapy that aggressively kills the cancer cells. It can be more invasive than radiation or surgery, due to its length and the side effects.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis and having treatment for the same can be a hectic burden on your life, family, identity, and self-esteem. There is more information on the Australian Cancer Council Page about reaching out for support during a diagnosis or treatment.

For further support and information

•         Helpful governmental organisations: 
  • Cancer Council SA
  • Cancer Council Victoria
  • Cancer Council WA
  • Cancer Australia
•         Helpful community-funded cancer organisations
  • Breast Cancer Network Australia
  • National Breast Cancer Foundation 
  • McGrath Foundation

How can Homage help?

Homage has a dedicated team of health professionals, including Registered Nurses and support workers, to help you with innumerable steps during your treatment of cancer. These team members can help you with cancer care including: transport to medical appointments, medication management at home, post-surgical care or wound care, or simply accompaniment and companionship at home during the difficult recovery time.

1. Australia Wide First Aid. (2022, September 6). 5 Top Health Checks for Women. https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources/5-top-health-checks-for-women
2. Breast Cancer Network Australia. “Types of Breast Cancer.” Www.bcna.org.au, www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/.
3. Cancer Australia. “Breast Cancer in Australia Statistics.” Www.canceraustralia.gov.au, 18 Dec. 2019, www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/statistics.
4. Cancer Council. “Diagnosing Breast Cancer | Cancer Council Victoria.” Cancervic.org.au, 2018, www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/breast_cancer/diagnosing_breast_cancer.html.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?” Cdc.gov, 20 Sept. 2021, www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/risk_factors.htm.
6. Illinois Department Public Health. “Facts about Breast Cancer.” Www.idph.state.il.us, www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/breast_cancer_facts.htm.
7. McGrath Foundation. “How to Do Your Own Breast Check.” McGrath Foundation, www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/about/what-we-do/breast-awareness/.

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