Breast Cancer Awareness | Cancer | CDC

What to know

Ask your doctor when you should get a mammogram.

Overview

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. For many women, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Mammograms can find cancer before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.

Are you worried about the cost?

CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost mammograms to women who have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured. Find out if you qualify.

Symptoms

There are different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms can include:

• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
• Pain in any area of the breast.
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk (including blood).
• A new lump in the breast or underarm.

If you have any signs that worry you, see your doctor right away.

Risk factors

Some main factors that affect your chance of getting breast cancer include:

• Being a woman.
• Being older. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 or older.
• Having changes in your BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.

How to lower your risk

You can do things to help lower your breast cancer risk.

• Keep a healthy weight and be physically active.
• Choose not to drink alcohol, or drink alcohol in moderation.
• If you are taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, ask your doctor about the risks.
• Breastfeed your children, if possible.

Fast facts

• Each year in the United States, about 270,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease.
• Men also get breast cancer, but it is not very common. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.
• Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women.

Featured resources

• What does it mean to have dense breasts? This video explains what it means and why it's important.
• This video introduces Talk to Someone: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, an interactive conversation with the virtual triple-negative breast cancer survivor, Linda.
• Some breast and ovarian cancers are caused by genetic changes passed down in families.
• CDC's Bring Your Brave campaign shares stories of young women whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms You Need to Know

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Audio Description Low Resolution Video

This video explains that it's important to learn about breast cancer symptoms and know how your breasts normally look and feel so you can talk to your doctor if you notice any changes.

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