What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the breast tissue.
One in seven women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
Each year, about 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. It is more common in women who are aged 50 and over.
Men can also get breast cancer. The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is a lump in the chest area.
Breast cancer in men is very rare. Around 370 men are diagnosed each year in the UK.
Breast cancer can cause symptoms such as a lump, but a lump is not the only symptom of breast cancer.
To find further facts and information about breast cancer go to
What is breast cancer? (breastcancernow.org)
Breast cancer | Cancer Research UK
Breast cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
See your GP if you notice a change
Most breast changes, including breast lumps, are not cancer. But the sooner breast cancer is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be.
Get any new or unusual changes checked by a GP.
The Macmillan information centre is based in the Sir William Rous unit at Kingston hospital
Please call 0208 973 5001 or drop in if you have any worries or questions
