« Cancer Care

Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Symptoms

HSHS St. John’s Hospital is dedicated to saving lives by ensuring you know your risk factors and symptoms so that you can get timely diagnosis and treatment. Our team of cancer care specialists are here to help you every step of your journey.

Knowing your risk factors helps you take action to catch breast cancer early.

Risk factors specific to breast cancer may include genetic background, lifestyle choices, obesity, age and more. Although these things may increase your odds to develop the disease, they do not definitively point to a probable diagnosis. In fact, some women who have breast cancer have may not have any of these risk factors:

Gender
Age
Race
Genetic predisposition
Previous history of breast cancer
Family history of breast cancer
History of ovarian cancer
Prolonged exposure to estrogen
Medical conditions of the breast
Obesity
Tobacco use
Alcohol use

The specific steps you can take to minimize your chances for breast cancer and potentially prevent it include:

Routine self and physician breast exams
Annual mammograms for women 40 years of age and older
Smart lifestyle and health choices
Regular physical exams

Common Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Early detection and targeted treatment play a major role in the fight against breast cancer. Knowing the signs and symptoms and taking appropriate action gives you a better chance of catching it before it progresses.

Symptoms of breast cancer may include:
Lumps
Thickening in breast tissue or under the arms
Bloody nipple discharge
A sore on the nipple that doesn’t heal
Irritations in the skin, dimples, scales or new creases
Swollen or red breasts
Rashes similar to the skin of an orange