Breast Cancer

Getting Started

Nutrition and Cancer Quiz

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Cancer Overview

Know Your Risks

Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment

This short assessment will help you find out if you have major risk factors for ovarian cancer.

OverviewSee All in OverviewShow Blurbs

Anatomy of the Breasts in Overview

A closer look at the structure of the breast....more

Breast Cancer: Symptoms in Overview

Breast cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. Women with early breast cancer usually don't have pain or notice any breast changes caused by the cancer. This is why routine screening tests are so important. ...more

Breast Cancer: Risk Factors in Overview

A look at specific things that may increase your chance of having breast cancer....more

Breast Cancer: Introduction in Overview

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women in the U.S. Once breast cancer occurs, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, making it life-threatening. The good news is that breast cancer is often found early, before it has spread. ...more

Genetics and Breast Cancer Male Breast Cancer

Anatomy of the Breasts in Overview

Breast Cancer: Symptoms in Overview

Breast Cancer: Risk Factors in Overview

Breast Cancer: Introduction in Overview

Understanding Your DiagnosisSee All in Understanding Your DiagnosisShow Blurbs

Breast Cancer: Diagnosis in Understanding Your Diagnosis

It is important to remember that a lump or other changes in the breast, or an abnormal area on a mammogram, may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious problems. ...more

Mammogram in Understanding Your Diagnosis

A mammogram is a way to look at your breast using X-rays. It is used to find and diagnose breast disease in women. Read on to learn more details about when and why to get a mammogram, and what you can expect when having it done. ...more

Frequently Asked Questions: Mammograms in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Timing your mammogram when your breasts are not tender is important. In premenopausal women, this is usually 1 week after a menstrual period. ...more

Breast Cancer: MRI and Early Detection in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Studies suggest that MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) may improve the early detection of breast cancer in women who are considered high risk. ...more

Breast Biopsy in Understanding Your Diagnosis

A breast biopsy is a small piece of breast tissue that is removed and checked in a lab. This is done to see if cancer or other abnormal cells are present....more

Breast Cancer: Tests After Diagnosis in Understanding Your Diagnosis

After a diagnosis of breast cancer, you will likely have other tests. These tests help your doctors learn more about your cancer. They can help show if the cancer has grown into nearby areas or spread to other parts of the body. ...more

Breast Cancer: Diagnosis in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Mammogram in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Frequently Asked Questions: Mammograms in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Breast Cancer: MRI and Early Detection in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Breast Biopsy in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Breast Cancer: Tests After Diagnosis in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Deciding on TreatmentSee All in Deciding on TreatmentShow Blurbs

Breast Cancer: Treatment Questions in Treatment Introduction

These questions can help you work with your healthcare provider and make good decisions about your cancer care. ...more

Breast Cancer: Treatment Choices in Treatment Introduction

The good news is that breast cancer can be treated successfully. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or any combination of these. Here's a closer look at each. ...more

Breast Cancer: Chemotherapy in Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy may be able to cure breast cancer. If a cure isn't possible, chemotherapy may help keep the cancer from growing or spreading. Or it may help ease symptoms caused by cancer and improve your quality of life. ...more

Breast Cancer: Radiation Therapy in Radiation

Radiation therapy is a breast cancer treatment choice that often uses X-rays to kill cancer cells. There are several ways to treat breast cancer with radiation therapy. ...more

Breast Cancer: Surgery in Surgery

Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible is the main treatment for breast cancer. Today, women have many surgical choices. ...more

Breast-Conserving Surgery in Surgery

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is sometimes called a lumpectomy or a partial mastectomy. It may be done as part of a treatment plan for breast cancer. With BCS, only the part of the breast that has cancer is removed. ...more

Treatment Introduction Chemotherapy Radiation Surgery Hormone Therapy Other Treatments Clinical Trials Follow-Up

Breast Cancer: Treatment Questions in Treatment Introduction

Breast Cancer: Treatment Choices in Treatment Introduction

Breast Cancer: Chemotherapy in Chemotherapy

Breast Cancer: Radiation Therapy in Radiation

Breast Cancer: Surgery in Surgery

Breast-Conserving Surgery in Surgery

Managing Side EffectsSee All in Managing Side EffectsShow Blurbs

General Nutrition Guidelines During Cancer Treatment in Managing Side Effects

You may have difficulty eating or lose your appetite during cancer treatment. Try eating small, frequent meals throughout the day. To improve your appetite, don't drink beverages with your meals. ...more

Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue in Managing Side Effects, Other Treatment Side Effects

Fatigue can come and go or stay constant for a while. Fatigue from chemotherapy tends to happen a few days after the treatment, peaks, and then gets better before the next treatment. Fatigue from radiation may not happen right away. ...more

Chemotherapy Side Effects Other Treatment Side Effects

General Nutrition Guidelines During Cancer Treatment in Managing Side Effects

Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue in Managing Side Effects, Other Treatment Side Effects

Prevention and ScreeningSee All in Prevention and ScreeningShow Blurbs

Breast Health: Preventive Care in Prevention and Screening

To keep track of your breast health, you should get a yearly clinical exam and mammograms as directed by your healthcare provider. ...more

Breast Cancer: Early Detection in Prevention and Screening

You have a better chance of surviving breast cancer if your doctor finds and treats it early, while it's small and hasn't spread. The best way to find breast cancer early is to be screened regularly. Here's what you need to know. ...more

Breast Self-Awareness in Prevention and Screening

Your breasts change at different stages of your life. Breast self-awareness is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel. This can help you to find even small changes right away. ...more

Breast Cancer: Risk Factors in Prevention and Screening

A look at specific things that may increase your chance of having breast cancer....more

Breast Health: Preventive Care in Prevention and Screening

Breast Cancer: Early Detection in Prevention and Screening

Breast Self-Awareness in Prevention and Screening

Breast Cancer: Risk Factors in Prevention and Screening

Cancer FAQsSee All in Cancer FAQsShow Blurbs

Breast Cancer: Overview in Cancer FAQs

Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. It starts in the ducts of the breast. Cancer can start in other parts of the breast, too. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. ...more

Breast Cancer: Overview in Cancer FAQs

Overview See AllGenetics and Breast Cancer See AllMale Breast Cancer See All

Anatomy of the Breasts in Overview

A closer look at the structure of the breast....more

Breast Cancer: Symptoms in Overview

Breast Cancer: Risk Factors in Overview

A look at specific things that may increase your chance of having breast cancer....more

Breast Cancer: Introduction in Overview

Understanding Your Diagnosis See All

Breast Cancer: Diagnosis in Understanding Your Diagnosis

It is important to remember that a lump or other changes in the breast, or an abnormal area on a mammogram, may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious problems. ...more

Mammogram in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Frequently Asked Questions: Mammograms in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Timing your mammogram when your breasts are not tender is important. In premenopausal women, this is usually 1 week after a menstrual period. ...more

Breast Cancer: MRI and Early Detection in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Studies suggest that MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) may improve the early detection of breast cancer in women who are considered high risk. ...more

Breast Biopsy in Understanding Your Diagnosis

A breast biopsy is a small piece of breast tissue that is removed and checked in a lab. This is done to see if cancer or other abnormal cells are present....more

Breast Cancer: Tests After Diagnosis in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Breast MRI in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Magnetic resonance imaging creates detailed images of the body using large magnets and a computer. For breast MRI, a woman will lie face down with her breasts positioned through holes in a table. ...more

Breast Scan in Understanding Your Diagnosis

A breast scan is an imaging test to look at your breasts. It is used when a mammogram has not given your health care provider enough information. ...more

Breast Ultrasound in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Breast ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at your breasts. It can help your healthcare provider find breast problems. It also lets your provider see how well blood is flowing to areas in your breasts. This test is often used along with mammography. ...more

Breast Cancer: Introduction in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Breast Cancer: Grades and Stages in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Once your healthcare provider knows you have breast cancer, the next step is to find out more about your cancer cells. This includes the stage of the cancer, the exact type you have, and other factors. ...more

Breast Cancer: Newly Diagnosed in Understanding Your Diagnosis

Being told you have breast cancer can be scary, and you may have many questions. But you have people on your care team to help. ...more

Deciding on Treatment See AllTreatment Introduction See AllChemotherapy See AllRadiation See AllSurgery See AllHormone Therapy See AllOther Treatments See AllClinical Trials See AllFollow-Up See All

Breast Cancer: Treatment Questions in Treatment Introduction

These questions can help you work with your healthcare provider and make good decisions about your cancer care. ...more

Breast Cancer: Treatment Choices in Treatment Introduction

Breast Cancer: Chemotherapy in Chemotherapy

Breast Cancer: Radiation Therapy in Radiation

Radiation therapy is a breast cancer treatment choice that often uses X-rays to kill cancer cells. There are several ways to treat breast cancer with radiation therapy. ...more

Breast Cancer: Surgery in Surgery

Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible is the main treatment for breast cancer. Today, women have many surgical choices. ...more

Breast-Conserving Surgery in Surgery

Breast Cancer: Targeted Therapy in Other Treatments

Targeted therapy is the use of medicines that target parts of cancer cells that make them unlike normal cells. They do this without affecting most normal, healthy cells. ...more

About Clinical Trials: Information from the National Cancer Institute in Clinical Trials

Cancer clinical trials are studies managed by government agencies, educational institutions, private not-for-profit organizations, or commercial businesses. They develop and evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments and therapies for diseases. ...more

Exercising After Breast Cancer: Moving Toward Health in Follow-Up

Breast cancer can make you feel as though your body has failed you. But research shows that exercise can help you regain some control over your body and your life. ...more

Osteoporosis in Women with Cancer in Follow-Up

If you have osteoporosis, your bones become porous and weak. As they lose strength, they are more likely to break. People with osteoporosis are particularly at risk for breaking these bones. ...more

Managing Side Effects See AllChemotherapy Side Effects See AllOther Treatment Side Effects See All

General Nutrition Guidelines During Cancer Treatment in Managing Side Effects

Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue in Managing Side Effects, Other Treatment Side Effects

Prevention and Screening See All

Breast Health: Preventive Care in Prevention and Screening

To keep track of your breast health, you should get a yearly clinical exam and mammograms as directed by your healthcare provider. ...more

Breast Cancer: Early Detection in Prevention and Screening

Breast Self-Awareness in Prevention and Screening

Your breasts change at different stages of your life. Breast self-awareness is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel. This can help you to find even small changes right away. ...more

Breast Cancer: Risk Factors in Prevention and Screening

A look at specific things that may increase your chance of having breast cancer....more

Cancer FAQs See All

Breast Cancer: Overview in Cancer FAQs