From an interview with
Dr. Kerolos Rizk
McLeod Oncology and Hematology Associates

Breast cancer may appear as an abnormal lump or nodule, a firmness in the breast. Sometimes it can also be in the armpit as a lump, or a mass that may be there. Sometimes it could be just the breast tissue itself has changed. Sometimes breast cancer doesn’t have a sign. Then we incidentally find it on a screening mammogram. Sometimes it can present with unexplained weight loss, body aches, or bone pain.

The older a female becomes, the breast cancer risk does increase. Family history is a very big, important risk factor itself, especially if there’s a first-degree relative, whether that be a mom or a sister that has breast cancer. That patient may also be at a higher risk for breast cancer. Genetics itself is another reason why a person may develop  breast cancer. That could be a male or a female, especially with the pathogenic mutations.

Screening for breast cancer usually starts with a mammogram, and that usually begins at age 40. That has been the recommended age for the longest. At this point in time, there are other certain situations where you could start screening at a younger age, depending on whether there’s a personal history of having an atypical tissue in the breast cancer that was biopsied. We sometimes follow that up with the ultrasound, especially if there’s any kind of suspicious lesions. And usually that ultrasound will either say yes or no to proceeding with a biopsy.

Breast cancer is one that we are constantly fighting every day. Whether it be a localized breast cancer or a metastatic breast cancer, there’s multiple avenues to treat that. And so do not be discouraged with having that diagnosis.

To learn more, speak with an oncologist near you.