Breast cancer can affect anybody, and everybody is welcome in CoppaFeel!’s community. We’re actively inclusive in our language and we ask people how they want to be described.
The word ‘chest’ is inclusive of all bodies and genders. When we need to be clinically accurate we use the word ‘breast’. You might prefer to call your chest something else, and that’s ok!
Cancer is a condition that causes cells in the body to grow out of control. These cells form growths called tumours. Breast cancer is cancer that forms in breast tissue. Breast tissue is not only in your breasts. It goes all the way up to your collarbone and under your armpit. Everyone has breast tissue – people of all ages, races and genders.
In the UK, 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Around 55,500 women and around 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.
If breast cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully. That is why we want to tell you about breast cancer, and encourage you to check your chest every month.
When we talk about ‘breasts’ we mean the breast tissue in the chest area. You might call this area your breasts, boobs, pecs or chest. To understand breast cancer, it helps to understand a bit about the chest area. Breast tissue is different in women and men, but there are some similarities.
For example, all breast tissue contains fat and lymph vessels.
Primary breast cancer is breast cancer that has not spread outside the breast or the lymph nodes (glands in your armpits). There are several different types of primary breast cancer. It can be diagnosed at different stages. Breast cancer is staged from stage 1 to stage 4. Primary breast cancer is different from secondary breast cancer. Secondary breast cancer is when breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body. We have more information about secondary breast cancer below.
Secondary breast cancer is when breast cancer spreads from the breast and lymph nodes (glands in your armpits) to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it can form another tumour. This is called secondary cancer.
Secondary cancer is also called:
Breast cancer can spread to many parts of the body. The most common parts are:
If breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is still called breast cancer. For example, breast cancer that spreads to the bone is called secondary breast cancer in the bone.
Secondary breast cancer can be treated, but not cured. Treatment for secondary breast cancer helps with symptoms and stops the cancer from spreading further. If someone has secondary breast cancer, they will always have it. Breast cancer specialists will talk to the person about the different ways they can manage their symptoms.
A person living with secondary breast cancer will be involved in making decisions about their treatment and care. It’s important these decisions are right for the individual.
Our friends at Breast Cancer Now have more information about secondary breast cancer.
DCIS means Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. It is the earliest form of breast cancer. DCIS is when the cancer cells are still inside the parts of the breast where they first formed. These parts are called lobules or ducts. In DCIS, “in situ’means the cancer cells have stayed in the lobules or ducts. DCIS might also be called:
Invasive breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer. In the past it was also called invasive ductal carcinoma.
Invasive breast cancer means that the cancer cells have grown through the lining of the ducts into the surrounding breast tissue.
Invasive breast cancer starts as DCIS, but not every DCIS will turn into invasive breast cancer.
We do not know which DCIS cells will become invasive breast cancer, and which won’t. Most cases of DCIS are treated because it can become invasive breast cancer in the future.
DCIS is an early form of breast cancer and it can be cured with treatment.
Diabetes UK explains it in this way:
Mastopathy is the name given to fibrous (tough) breast tissue, which can develop in people with diabetes.
Diabetic mastopathy is uncommon. It is usually seen in women who are pre-menopausal, and who have had type 1 diabetes for many years, but can also affect men. Often diabetic mastopathy is associated with other complications of diabetes.
It’s not clear what causes diabetic mastopathy, but persistent high blood glucose levels may play a part. If you notice any lumps or hardness in your breasts or chest you should visit your GP as soon as possible so that they find out the cause. Having diabetic mastopathy does not mean that you are at increased risk of breast cancer.
It is always important to contact your GP if you notice any changes to your chest that are unusual for you. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better.
Cancer is a condition that causes cells in the body to grow out of control. These cells form growths called tumours. Breast cancer is cancer that forms in breast tissue. Breast tissue is not only in your breasts. It goes all the way up to your collarbone and under your armpit. Everyone has breast tissue – people of all ages, ethnicities and genders.
Yes, there are different types of breast cancer.
Invasive breast cancer or invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer.
Our friends at Cancer Research UK talk about the different types of breast cancer too.
Breast cancer can spread to many parts of the body. The most common parts are:
Secondary breast cancer is when breast cancer spreads from the breast and lymph nodes (glands in your armpits) to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it can form another tumour. This is called secondary cancer.
Breast cancer is very rare in teenagers. We don’t have the data on the youngest age you can get it, but the best thing you can do is get to know your body and get to know your normal.
Staging means how big the cancer is and whether it has spread.There are four stages for breast cancer, these are numbered 1,2,3 and 4. Grading means how abnormal the cells and tissue look under a microscope.
Read more on the stages and grades of breast cancer from our friends at CRUK.
Yes, it is the same because it’s about people getting to know what is normal for them. Lots of people have breast implants and that might be normal for them. It might take a little while after any implant surgery to get used to what the new normal is like, but the breast awareness guidance stays the same for everyone. Check out our information on checking your chest with implants.
Here are our top tips for checking with implants:
No. Having a bigger chest doesn’t necessarily increase your risk of breast cancer. There may be some evidence that increased breast density (thickness) can very slightly increase breast cancer risk, simply because there is a greater area.
There isn’t one single reason for these differences. There are complex social, economic and cultural factors. This is in part due to a lack of awareness, representation and education in Black and Asian communities and some people may experience further delays when they are diagnosed.
CoppaFeel! are working to address these health inequities (these are unfair and avoidable differences in health). We want to make sure our message reaches every young person and everyone has the best possible chance of surviving breast cancer.
Research from Cancer Research UK shows that 23% of breast cancers are preventable through lifestyle choices (CRUK, UK 2015) , such as not smoking and reducing alcohol intake.
The 3 main risk factors for breast cancer are factors beyond our control: age, gender and family history. But beyond those factors a healthy, balanced lifestyle can help reduce risk. For more healthy lifestyle advice, visit our health information webpage about lifestyle factors and breast cancer.
There is some evidence that younger people have more aggressive breast tumour characteristics, but early diagnosis can help make sure breast cancer is treatable. Breast cancer is commonly a symptomatic cancer, which means there are obvious signs, so good breast awareness and monthly checking gives people the best possible chance of noticing breast cancer early.
Healthtalk.org has great information about who should visit their GP which talks about young people visiting the GP. Here is some of the information from the page:
Anyone can book an appointment with a GP if they feel able to do so. They don’t have to be over 16 and all consultations (appointments) are confidential (private). Appointments with the GP are confidential regardless of a person’s age. Doctors and nurses have very strict rules on confidentiality so that everything a patient tells them, their personal details and medical records are kept completely private…
If a patient is under 16 and doesn’t want to involve their parents, the doctor can treat them without telling their parents as long as the young person fully understands the choices they’re making.
When booking an appointment, you can request a chaperone. A chaperone is a person who is present usually during a physical examination and acts as a safeguard for all parties by witnessing continuing consent of the procedure.
You can also request a female GP if you would feel more comfortable speaking to a female.
We also have more information on what to expect when you contact your doctor.
Your doctor will probably want to examine your chest area. This might include your armpits and up to your collarbone. It can be helpful to wear loose clothing or separate top and bottoms.
It can feel embarrassing to talk to your GP about your chest, but they have seen it all before. Here are our tips for your GP appointment:
Write down when you first noticed the changes, and tell the GP.
If you have periods, write down when your last one was. The GP might ask.
Try to find out if anyone in your family has had breast cancer. The GP might ask you about that too.
Breast cancer can affect people of all ages and genders, so it’s really important to get to know what’s normal for your body and understand how it could change if you are physically transitioning.
We encourage chest checking in a way that feels comfortable for you. OUTpatients is an LGBTIQ+ cancer charity and we’ve worked with them to create resources for trans and non-binary people. Here you can find further resources for trans and non-binary people.
Most people start by seeing their GP.
Your GP might decide to send you to the breast clinic to have any changes checked out by a breast specialist. Your GP can ask for an urgent or non-urgent appointment at the breast clinic. They may ask for an urgent appointment to make sure you are seen quickly. It does not mean your GP thinks you have breast cancer.
Important:
From October 2023 in England, the Two Week Wait appointment process changed to the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard.
Stage 4 breast cancer is unlikely to be cured. Treatment can often keep the cancer under control for many months or years.
There are a few breast cancer myths. These things do not increase your risk of getting breast cancer:
Our health information has the PIF TICK quality mark, so you can trust and rely on it.
We updated this information in April 2024. We will look at it again in April 2027.
