The exact causes of breast cancer aren’t fully understood. However, there are certain factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer.
These include:
– Age – the risk increases as you get older
– Family history of breast cancer
– Previous diagnosis of breast cancer
– Previous benign breast lump
– Being tall, overweight or obese
– Drinking Alcohol
Breast cancer can be diagnosed after routine breast screening, or due to symptoms or by investigations like:
– Mammogram and breast ultrasound
– Biopsy from breast tissue or breast mass
If a diagnosis of breast cancer is confirmed, more tests will be needed to determine the stage and grade of the cancer, and work out the best method of treatment.
– CT or chest X-ray and liver ultrasound scans may be needed to check whether the cancer has spread.
– MRI scan of the breast may be needed to clarify the results or assess the extent of the condition within the breast.
– Bone scan to exclude cancer spread to the bone