What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumour is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too.

• 1 in 8 women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life.

• Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the UK

• 31%of cancers diagnosed in women are breast cancer.

Causes:

• Smoking

• Age – the risk of developing cancer increases with age.

• Family history - If you have close relatives who have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer, you may have a higher…