BC Basics

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the breast tissue. Read on to find out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about BC.

What causes breast cancer?

The exact cause of breast cancer, like other cancers, is not known. However, it is known that some genetic and environmental risk factors can increase your risk.

How common is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer diagnosed among women in the U.S. after skin cancer, with an estimated 316,950 new cases diagnosed in 2025. The average risk of a woman in the U.S. developing breast cancer sometime in her life is around 13%.

If I have a family member with breast cancer, will I also get it?

If someone has an immediate family member who has or has had breast cancer in the past, this does not necessarily mean they will develop it themselves. In face, most women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.

However, some genetic factors may increase the risk of breast cancer. It is therefore recommended that women with an immediate family member affected by it undergo genetic testing to see if they have an increased risk of developing the cancer.

Does ethnicity affect the risk of breast cancer?

In the U.S., non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black women have the highest incidence of breast cancer, while Hispanic women have the lowest incidence. Similarly, in the U.K., Black women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer compared to White women.

More precisely, Black Caribbean and African women are up to twice as likely to be diagnosed with late-stage, high-grade breast cancer compared to White women. Similarly, women from Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani backgrounds are also more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. 

This could be due to reduced awareness, the presence of certain risk factors among certain ethnic groups and disparities in access to healthcare. 

What are the BRCA genes?

The BRCA genes are genes that code for a protein that is involved in DNA repair. Since inefficient DNA repair is associated with cancer, having faulty BRCA genes can increase someone’s risk of developing breast cancer as well as other types of cancer. Everyone has two copies of each gene, and having one healthy copy of the BRCA genes is usually enough to repair any faults that occur in the DNA, even if the other copy is faulty.

Does the contraceptive pill increase the risk of breast cancer?

Research has shown that the combined contraceptive pill, which contains both estrogen and progesterone, may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.

What can I do to prevent breast cancer?

Lifestyle changes like reducing or stopping the consumption of alcohol, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, limiting hormonal therapy and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing it.

What are the early signs of breast cancer?

The most common early signs of breast cancer include a lump or swelling in the breast or armpit and changes in the general appearance of the breast. Doing self-examinations and having regular mammograms, especially after age 40, can help identify breast cancer in its early stages.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

A doctor can diagnose breast cancer based on a medical exam and a mammogram. This is usually supported by imaging tests like a breast ultrasound and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A sample of breast tissue can also be obtained and analyzed in the laboratory to reach a final diagnosis.

Are there different types of breast cancer?

The types of breast cancer are based on where the cancer originates and whether it is invasive. For example, invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) originates in the milk ducts and spreads to the nearby breast tissue, while lobular breast cancer originates in the milk-producing glands in the breast.

There are also less common types of breast cancer like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) based on the genetic makeup of the tumor, inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), which blocks the lymph vessels og the skin, and Paget’s disease of the breast, which affects the nipple.

What do the different stages mean?

There are five different stages of breast cancer, which determine how advanced the disease is and whether it has spread to other parts of the body, with stage 0 being the earliest stage and stage 4 being the most advanced. The type of treatment usually depends on the stage of BC

Do I have to have chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is only one option for the treatment of breast cancer. Other options include surgery, especially if the cancer is caught early, radiotherapy and newer therapies like immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Chemotherapy can sometimes be used to help shrink the tumor before surgery to make it easier to remove. The type of therapy will depend on the type and stage.

Will I lose my hair?

Chemotherapy may lead to complete hair loss or may only cause partial hair loss or mild thinning in your hair. Factors affecting this include the type and dose of the chemotherapy drug, the route of administration, the sensitivity of the patient to the drug and previous treatments. Hair usually grows back when the treatment with chemotherapy drugs is completed. 

What is the risk of recurrence?

The recurrence risk depends on the type of cancer, with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) being more likely to recur than other types. If breast cancer was not present in the axillary lymph nodes during the original surgery, the risk of recurrence is 6% within 5 years.

Are there any support groups?

There are many support groups for people affected by breast cancer around the world. These include American Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation in the U.S., and Cancer Research UK and Breast Cancer UK in the UK. Myriad other smaller non-profit organizations offer support for patients with breast cancer and their family members.