Get Educated

What is breast cancer?

The breast is made up of supportive fibrous tissue, fatty tissue, and lobes of glandular tissue, with ducts to eject milk.  Breast cancer occurs when normal cells of the breast begin to grow and divide at an unregulated pace. Consequently, these cancer cells can become malignant when they invade and spread (metastasize) to different areas of the body.

The most common breast malignancy accounting for 80% of breast cancer cases is “Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma.” This type of breast cancer tumor is unilateral and begins in the ducts of the breast. Over time, the tumor becomes an observable, hard mass that may increase in size and may spread to other parts of the body. The most common places breast cancer spreads to are the lungs and bone.

The second most common breast malignancy accounting for 10% of breast cancer cases is “Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma.” This type of tumor begins in the milk-producing glands (the lobules) and is also unilateral, meaning that it starts in one breast. These tumors also have the potential to be invasive. However, this type of breast cancer is usually less aggressive and more treatable than ductal carcinoma.

Both men and women can get breast cancer, although the chances of men getting breast cancer are very rare.

Clinical Findings: How Breast Cancer Affects The Body

• Painless mass in the breast, usually in the upper outer quadrant of the breast
• Skin or nipple retraction
• Painless, enlarged lymph nodes in the axillary area
• Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
• Breast skin with dimpling like an orange (peak d’orange)
• Bloody nipple discharge
• Bone pain if metastasis has occurred

If you experience any of these symptoms, please talk with your doctor and seek immediate care!

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Epidemiology

Breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer diagnosed in women in western, industrialized countries.  An estimated 182,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to occur among women in the United States during 2000. After increasing by approximately 4% per year in the 1980s, breast cancer incidence rates in women began to level off in the 1990s, and have approached approximately 130 new cases per 100,000 women in 2024. The average age is 63 years old and the risk increases with age.

Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2025:

New cases: 316,950 (female); 2,800 (male)

Deaths: 42,170 (female); 510 (male)

Information provided by the National Cancer Institute at https://seer.cancer.gov/

The numbers change drastically in lower-income communities. Why are Caucasian women diagnosed with breast cancer more frequently, while African American women experience higher mortality rates from the disease? Breast cancer does not see a race, gender, origin, or religion, but knowledge is power especially for those who are financially unstable.

Breast cancer mortality rates by state provided by the (CDC) Center for Disease Control.

Breast cancer rates by race and ethnicity provided by the (CDC) Center for Disease Control.

These statistics demonstrate why it is crucial to focus on prevention!

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What are the different types of breast cancer?

There are several types of breast cancer, including:

• Ductal carcinoma. This is the most common type and it begins in the lining of the ducts.
• Lobular carcinoma. This is the second most common type and it occurs in the lobules (milk-producing glands).
• Paget disease. This is a rare form of breast cancer that is often characterized by red, inflamed, eczema-like patches on the skin of the nipple. Paget's disease often originates from cancer affecting the breast ducts (Ductal Carcinoma).
• Inflammatory breast cancer. This is a rare form of invasive breast cancer. Usually, there is no lump or tumor; rather this cancer makes the skin of the breast look red and feel warm. The breast skin also looks thick and pitted, much like an orange peel.
• Triple-negative breast cancers. These are breast cancers (most often characterized as invasive ductal carcinomas) that do not have estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors, and also do not have an excess of HER2 protein expressed on the surface of cancer cells. These breast cancers tend to occur more often in younger women and in African-American women. They tend to grow and spread faster than most other types of breast cancer, and they are not responsive to typical hormone therapies.

Types of breast cancer, in alphabetical order:

This information was provided by  the Georgia Regents Health System.

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Breast Cancer and Metastasis 

The breast is categorized into four quadrants. The outer quadrant is the most common area where breast cancer is found. From here, breast cancer typically spreads to axillary lymph nodes. Inner quadrant breast cancers, on the other hand, usually spread to internal mammary nodes. Extra-nodal metastasis (the spreading of cancer through lymph nodes and to other parts of the body) often targets the lungs, bones, liver, brain, and ovaries.

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What increases my risk of developing breast cancer?

• Based on current breast cancer incidence rates, experts estimate that about 1 out of every 8 women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time during her life.
• The strongest risk factor for breast cancer is age. A woman’s risk of developing this disease increases as she gets older. In African American women, racial disparities in health care and environmental factors also play a primary role in increasing one's risk of developing breast cancer.
• Other factors can also increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, including
  • 1) Genetically susceptible background (family history of breast cancer, chromosomal anomalies)
  • 2) Prolonged estrogen stimulation
    • Early menarche/late menopause
    • Nulliparity (never being pregnant)
    • Postmenopausal obesity
    • Hormonal replacement therapy
  • 3) Previous history of endometrial cancer
  • 4) High dense density breast tissue (determined by mammogram)
  • 5) Exposure to ionizing radiation
  • 6) Smoking cigarettes or excessive alcohol intake

What are factors that decrease my risk of developing breast cancer?

• Breast-feeding: Natural flow of breast milk actually inhibits estrogen secretion
• Engaging in Regular Exercise & Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Excess fat in your body secretes estrogen into your bloodstream, which increases your cells' exposure this hormone. When cells in breast tissue are exposed to estrogen for prolonged periods of time, they become overstimulated, which can later result in these cells becoming cancerous. Regular exercise will help you to maintain a healthy weight and also lowers inflammation and oxidative stress in your body.
• Eating a Healthy Diet and Avoiding Processed Foods and Substances: Many foods (particularly processed and artificially flavored ones) have carcinogens in them, which are chemical known to increase one's risk of developing cancer. Some hygiene products can also contain these substances, so do your best to choose more natural options. Eating healthily will also provide you body with the vitamins and antioxidants helpful in preventing cancer. Contact IWS if you want more nutritional advice or financial support!

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What can you do for the prevention of breast cancer?

• Stay away from carcinogens (known cancer causing substances, including chemicals sometimes used in your food and hygiene products)!
• Do not wait to find ways to relieve stress. Pick up stress relief habits now.
• Cut back on alcohol intake and quit smoking. Both have been heavily studied to increase your risk of developing cancer
• Start eating healthy and stay hydrated! Fruits, leafy greens, and lean proteins are recommended. If you have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, it is advised that you immediately stop eating meats and dairy products for an optimal healing process. Increase your water intake even more than the norm (half your body weight, in ounces). Stick to a raw, whole-foods diet to rebuild the immune system.
• Stay away from artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors. Do not continue eating excess processed foods and foods with GMO’s, BHT’s, and other carcinogens.
• Start your monthly breast self-exams! Talk to your doctor about any abnormalities you may find. This applies to both men and women.
• Perform regular physical activity! Aim for 30 minutes of activity a day.
• Breastfeed, if you can. Your baby needs the nutrients to continue on a healthy life, and this also reduces your risk for breast cancer.
• Do not drink bottled water after it heats up. BPA (Bisphenol A) is released into your water with heat. BPA is a toxic substance that exhibits hormone-like properties that raise a concern about its suitability in consumer products and food containers.
• If you choose to work with chemotherapy and radiology treatments, ask your doctor questions. Do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion and ensure you understand everything that is presented to you. ASK!

You are not perfect, but you can try to prevent disease by taking care of yourself and your family. Educate yourself and keep asking questions! -I Will Survive, Inc.

What are screening options to detect breast cancer?

Mammograms

• Primarily a screening test
• Detects non-palpable breast masses (80-90% accuracy)
• Does NOT distinguish benign (safe) from malignant (cancer-causing) lesions
• Screening should start at age 40, every year; earlier if the individual is a high risk

Thermography

Mammograms expose the body to radiation. Thermography is a detection method that is painless, limits exposure to radiation, and can detect tumors without compression of the breasts. For more information on thermography please click here.

Genetic Testing

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Breast Cancer in Men!

Men with a BRCA2 gene mutation have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Richard Roundtree is a famous actor who first came out about his breast cancer diagnosis in 1993. Other known male survivors include Rod Roddy, Edward Brooke, Peter Criss, Montel Williams, and Ernie Green.

While the most common type of breast cancer in men is also invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), men have a much higher risk of later developing Paget's disease. For men, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000. The number of breast cancer cases in men relative to the population has been fairly stable over the last 30 years. The American Cancer Society estimates for breast cancer in men in the United States for 2025 are:

1. About 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men per year

2. About 510 men will die from breast cancer

Like African American women, African American men are hit harder by breast cancer than their white counterparts. After diagnosis, African American men are three times more likely to die from breast cancer than white men. This difference is probably due to the same factors suggested by research involving African American women.

Prevention: Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, increase intake in cancer fighting foods (kale, broccoli, turmeric, etc.), stop or limit alcohol intake, quit smoking, and reduce radiation exposure. We can’t prevent genetics or aging, but continue to communicate with your primary care provider if you see or feel anything abnormal. Genetic testing/counseling may also be available with your insurance.

A number of factors can increase a man’s risk of getting breast cancer:

1. Growing older: This is the biggest factor. Just as is the case for women, risk increases as age increases. The average age of men diagnosed with breast cancer is about 68.

2. High estrogen levels: Breast cell growth — both normal and abnormal — is stimulated by the presence of estrogen. Men can have high estrogen levels as a result of:

• a. taking hormonal medicines
• b. being overweight, which increases the production of estrogen
• c. having been exposed to estrogens in the environment (such as estrogen and other hormones fed to fatten up beef cattle, or the breakdown products of the pesticide DDT, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body)
• d. being heavy users of alcohol, which can limit the liver’s ability to regulate blood estrogen levels
• e. having liver disease, which usually leads to lower levels of androgens (male hormones) and higher levels of estrogen (female hormones). This increases the risk of developing gynecomastia (breast tissue growth that is non-cancerous) as well as breast cancer.

3. Klinefelter syndrome: Men with Klinefelter syndrome have lower levels of androgens (male hormones) and higher levels of estrogen (female hormones). Therefore, they have a higher risk of developing gynecomastia (breast tissue growth that is non-cancerous) and breast cancer. Klinefelter syndrome is a condition present at birth that affects about 1 in 1,000 men. Normally men have a single X and single Y chromosome. Men with Klinefelter syndrome have more than one X chromosome (sometimes as many as four). Symptoms of Klinefelter syndrome include having longer legs, a higher voice, and a thinner beard than average men; having smaller than normal testicles; and being infertile (unable to produce sperm).

4. A strong family history of breast cancer or genetic mutations: Family history can increase the risk of breast cancer in men — particularly if other men in the family have had breast cancer. The risk is also higher if there is a proven breast cancer gene abnormality in the family. Men who inherit abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes (BR stands for Breast, and CA stands for Cancer) have an increased risk of male breast cancer. The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is approximately 1% with the BRCA1 gene mutation and 6% with the BRCA2 gene mutation. Because of this strong association between male breast cancer and an abnormal BRCA2 gene, first-degree relatives (siblings, parents, and children) of a man diagnosed with breast cancer may want to ask their doctors about genetic testing for abnormal breast cancer genes. Still, the majority of male breast cancers happen in men who have no family history of breast cancer and no inherited gene abnormality.

5. Radiation exposure: If a man has been treated with radiation to the chest, such as for lymphoma, he has an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Research: Men with the highest levels of estrogen in their blood were about 2.5 times more likely to develop breast cancer than men with the lowest estrogen levels. Now an international study has found that men with naturally high levels of estrogen may have a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer. Read the abstract of “Prediagnostic Sex Steroid Hormones in Relation to Male Breast Cancer Risk.”

Symptoms: If you notice any persistent changes to your breasts, you should contact your doctor. Here are some signs to watch for: a lump felt in the breast, nipple pain an inverted nipple (common in male breast cancer), nipple discharge (clear or bloody), sores on the nipple and areola (the small ring of color around the center of the nipple), enlarged lymph nodes under the arm

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I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, who can I reach out to for immediate guidance and help?

Need breast cancer support? Fill out an application today or read about other health education breast cancer topics. Email contact@IWillSurviveInc.org for even more resources.

Stay connected for more health education and information about our programs on social media. @IWillSurviveInc

5879 New Peachtree Rd. Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30340

Open Tuesday – Thursday 10:00am – 2:00pm

404-483-8503 Contact@IWillSurviveInc.org

Breast Cancer Hotlines

911- for emergencies.

Cancer Information Service 1-800-4-CANCER (TTY 1-800-332-8615)
A free service provided by the National Cancer Institute, the Cancer Information Service is a public hotline to interpret and explain cancer research findings in clear and understandable language. Call Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm ET to speak with a live person; recorded information about cancer is available 24 hours per day.

The American Cancer Society 1-800-ACS-2345
The American Cancer Society is a volunteer advocacy organization that works to eliminate cancer through prevention, lifesaving treatment, and research, education, and direct service. Their 24-hour hotline provides information on all types of cancer from trained ACS staff.

Breast Cancer Network of Strength 1-800-221-2141 (En Espanol 1-800-986-9505)
The Breast Cancer Network of Strength’s YourShoes Support Center is a 24/7 hotline staffed exclusively by breast cancer survivors. These peer counselors match the caller with another survivor who has gone through a similar experience and also provide matches for family and friends of those fighting breast cancer.

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