Breast Cancer

It is most common in (but not limited to)...

• Women above the age of 40
• Someone with any family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate cancer
• Prominent in African American women

Some risk factors that make your chances of breast cancer greater:

• Overweight/Obese (BMI above 25) and being physically inactive
• History of radiation therapy
• Frequent alcohol drinker
• Pregnancy after the age of 30
• Starting the menstrual cycle before the age of 12, and hitting menopause after 55
• Hormone replacement therapy (those that include progesterone and estrogen)
• Inherited genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, p53, CHEK2, ATM and PALB)

Symptoms/When to contact a doctor:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
• Any change in the size or shape of the breast
• Pain in any area of the breast

Learn more

See screening options and timelines on the Breast Cancer Screening page.