Breast cancer Q&A

How many different types of breast cancer are there?

  1. Invasive ductal breast cancer (ductal carcinoma) is the commonest type of breast cancer, accounting for up to 85 per cent of cases (1). It is not the same as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), as ductal carcinoma cancer cells are found in the lining of the milk ducts in the breast
  2. Invasive lobular breast cancer is less common than invasive ductal breast cancer, and is found in around 15 per cent of cases (1). Cancer cells are found in the lining of the breast lobes in this type of breast cancer
  3. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is an early stage of breast cancer where cancer cells are found in the ducts of the breast. In DCIS there may be a small chance that the cancer may spread to the lymph nodes (glands in the armpits) or to other parts of the body
  4. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is regarded as a benign (non-cancerous) condition where cell changes are found inside the lobes of the breast. If you are diagnosed with LCIS, you could have a higher risk of developing breast cancer later on in life
  5. There are less common types of breast cancer, including inflammatory breast cancer, where the breast becomes red, swollen and sometimes painful to touch, and Paget's disease, which can begin as a rash on and around the nipple

At what age does breast screening start?

All women in the UK aged between 50 and 70 years are eligible for breast cancer screening. You can have one mammogram every three years.

If you are 70 years old or more, you can still have them every three years on request. By 2012, the NHS aims to screen even more women by extending the age range to 47 to 73 (2).

If you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, you can ask your doctor if you can be screened earlier than 50 years of age.

To find out more about the national breast cancer screening programme, visit Cancer Screening.

Refs:

  1. National Health Service | Screening for Breast Cancer in England: Past and Future Adobe pdf | NHSBSP Publication No 61 | February 2006
  2. NHS Breast Screening Programme | Breast Screening - Pocket Guide Adobe pdf | Published April 2006 | NHS BSP booklet 11345

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