Breast Cancer
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease where cells in breast tissue grow out of control. These abnormal cells can form lumps or tumors that may spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer can affect anyone with breast tissue, though it is most common in women over age 50.
Not all breast lumps are cancerous. Many are benign, meaning they are not harmful and do not spread. However, certain types of breast cancer can be aggressive and require early detection and treatment. The disease can start in different parts of the breast, including milk ducts, lobules that produce milk, or connective tissue.
Some breast cancers are hormone-sensitive, meaning they grow in response to estrogen or progesterone. These hormones can fuel the growth of cancer cells in certain types of breast cancer. Understanding your hormone levels and cancer markers through blood testing can help with monitoring and treatment planning.
Symptoms
- A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area
- Changes in breast size, shape, or appearance
- Skin dimpling, puckering, or redness on the breast
- Nipple discharge that is not breast milk
- Nipple changes, including inversion or turning inward
- Pain in the breast or nipple area
- Swelling in part or all of the breast
- Scaly or flaky skin on the nipple or breast
Some people with early-stage breast cancer have no symptoms at all. This is why regular screening and blood testing are important for early detection.
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Causes and risk factors
Breast cancer develops when cells in breast tissue begin to grow abnormally due to genetic changes or mutations. Some people inherit gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2 that increase cancer risk. However, most breast cancers occur in people with no family history. Age is a major risk factor, with most cases diagnosed after age 50. Prolonged exposure to estrogen, whether from early menstruation, late menopause, or hormone therapy, can increase risk.
Lifestyle factors also play a role in breast cancer risk. Being overweight or obese, especially after menopause, increases the chance of developing breast cancer. Lack of physical activity, drinking alcohol regularly, and never having children or having them later in life can raise risk. Radiation exposure to the chest area during younger years and dense breast tissue also contribute to higher risk.
How it's diagnosed
Breast cancer is diagnosed through a combination of physical exams, imaging tests, and biopsies. Mammograms use X-rays to detect abnormal areas in breast tissue. Ultrasounds and MRI scans provide additional imaging when needed. If suspicious tissue is found, a biopsy removes a small sample of cells to check for cancer under a microscope.
Blood tests can help monitor breast cancer by measuring tumor markers and hormone levels. Rite Aid offers testing for key biomarkers including CA 15-3, CA 27.29, CA-125, CEA, estradiol, total estrogen, and progesterone through our flagship panel. These markers can be elevated in some breast cancers and help track treatment response. Testing is available at over 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide.
Treatment options
- Surgery to remove the tumor or entire breast, depending on cancer stage and type
- Radiation therapy to kill cancer cells in the affected area
- Chemotherapy medications to destroy cancer cells throughout the body
- Hormone therapy drugs like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors for hormone-sensitive cancers
- Targeted therapy drugs that attack specific cancer cell characteristics
- Eating a nutrient-dense diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins
- Maintaining a healthy weight through regular physical activity
- Limiting alcohol consumption to reduce cancer recurrence risk
- Managing stress through mindfulness, yoga, or counseling
- Regular follow-up appointments and blood tests to monitor for recurrence
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- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Early warning signs include a new lump in the breast or underarm, changes in breast size or shape, and skin changes like dimpling or redness. You may notice nipple discharge or nipple inversion. However, many early breast cancers cause no symptoms, which is why regular screening is important.
Blood tests can measure tumor markers like CA 15-3, CA 27.29, CEA, and CA-125 that may be elevated in some breast cancers. They also check hormone levels like estrogen and progesterone that can fuel certain cancer types. While blood tests alone cannot diagnose breast cancer, they are useful for monitoring disease progression and treatment response.
CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 are both tumor markers used to monitor breast cancer. They measure similar proteins in the blood that can be elevated when cancer is present or spreading. CA 27.29 is a newer test that measures a specific part of the same protein as CA 15-3. Doctors may use one or both to track how well treatment is working.
Estrogen can promote the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells. Long-term exposure to high estrogen levels increases breast cancer risk. This includes early menstruation, late menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and obesity, which increases estrogen production. About 70% of breast cancers are hormone-receptor-positive and grow in response to estrogen.
Blood tests for tumor markers are typically used for monitoring known breast cancer, not for screening in healthy people. However, testing hormone levels like estrogen and progesterone can help assess risk factors. Regular mammograms remain the gold standard for breast cancer screening in people without symptoms.
Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise is one of the most important steps. Limiting alcohol to one drink per day or less reduces risk. Regular physical activity, breastfeeding if possible, and avoiding unnecessary hormone therapy also help. Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains supports overall health and may lower cancer risk.
Become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel so you can notice changes. Check your breasts monthly, ideally a few days after your period ends when breasts are less tender. Report any lumps, changes in size or shape, skin changes, or nipple discharge to your doctor right away.
Yes, men can develop breast cancer, though it is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cases. Men have small amounts of breast tissue where cancer can develop. Symptoms include lumps, skin changes, and nipple discharge. Risk factors include age, family history, genetic mutations, and conditions that increase estrogen levels.
CEA is a protein that can be elevated in some cancers, including breast cancer. However, elevated CEA is not specific to breast cancer and can be caused by other conditions. It is most useful for monitoring treatment response and detecting cancer recurrence rather than initial diagnosis. Your doctor will interpret CEA results alongside other tests and imaging.
Monitoring schedules vary based on cancer type, stage, and treatment. Most doctors recommend regular blood tests and imaging for at least five years after treatment, with many continuing for life. Tumor markers like CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 help detect recurrence early when treatment is most effective. Talk to your oncologist about a personalized monitoring plan.