Breast Cancer

Exactly what causes breast cancer isn’t fully understood, but there are several risk factors that  can increase your chances of developing the disease, including:

• age – older women are much more likely to develop breast cancer than younger women

• reproductive history – if you started menstruating at a young age and experienced menopause at a later age than average, your chances of breast cancer may be increased. Not having children or having them later in life may also increase your risk

• hormone treatments – HRT and some types of oral contraceptives could increase your risk of breast cancer. This risk is temporary and declines over a period of years once the treatment has stopped

• breast density – women with more dense breasts are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to women with less dense breasts

• family history – if you have a mother or sister who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk factor is higher than that of a woman with no family history

Men at higher risk of breast cancer include those who have high oestrogen levels, have been exposed to radiation, have a family history or breast cancer gene in the family, are obese, have a chronic liver condition, or have a rare genetic condition called Klinefelter's syndrome.

For many women and men, breast cancer is picked up on a routine mammogram. At Welbeck, we provide enhanced breast screening to all women over 40 who aren’t experiencing symptoms (are asymptomatic).

If anything abnormal is found during enhanced breast screening, we may recommend a bilateral breast ultrasound and a biopsy to test for abnormal cells in the tissue.

If you’re experiencing breast symptoms (are symptomatic), we offer a service called breast triple assessment. This involves 3 types of tests to screen for and diagnose breast cancer: an initial assessment (medical history and physical examination), imaging (mammography and/or ultrasound), and a biopsy (fine needle aspiration or core biopsy).

If a biopsy confirms a diagnosis of breast cancer, additional tests will be required to determine the stage and grade of the cancer. Understanding these will help your consultant determine which type of treatment will be most effective for you. These tests may include a CT scan, chest X-ray, liver ultrasound, MRI scan, and bone scan.

It’s important to know that breast cancer cannot always be prevented.

There are, however, some things you can do to lower your risk, including:

• maintaining a healthy weight

• eating a healthy diet

• exercising regularly

• limiting alcohol intake

• not smoking

It’s important to always attend regular mammogram appointments. We recommended that all women over 40 come to see us for enhanced breast screening every 18 months. While breast screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help detect it at the earliest stage, when treatment is most effective.

The most significant complication of breast cancer is metastasis. This is where the disease spreads to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, liver, and brain.

The treatment recommended for breast cancer depends on the size and stage of the disease, whether it has spread to other areas in your body, and your general health. You may only need to have 1 type of treatment, or your specialist may recommend a combination of several treatments for the best possible outcome.

Treatments for breast cancer include:

• surgery – part of the breast (lumpectomy) or all of the breast (mastectomy) may be removed, as well as any lymph nodes that may have been affected

• radiotherapy – high-energy X-rays target and kill the cancer cells. Radiotherapy is often given after surgery across multiple sessions

• chemotherapy – chemotherapy is a type of drug used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. It’s usually given intravenously (through a drip into the vein) in hospital, but some can be taken at home in tablet form

• hormone therapy – hormone-receptive breast cancers may require hormone therapy in order to lower certain hormone levels to help shrink tumours or stop them from growing

• targeted therapy – given as tablets or injections, targeted therapy works to change the way cells work to help stop the cancer from growing and spreading

At Welbeck, our breast cancer specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.

Is there a link between oral contraceptives and breast cancer?

Hormonal contraceptives like the pill have been found to slightly increase breast cancer risk. However, a few years after stopping use, your individual risk returns to the same level as it was before taking hormonal contraception.

How often should I check my breasts?

You should check your breasts for changes once a month. It’s recommended to perform a self-exam 7 to 10 days after your period starts, as your breasts will be at their least tender and lumpy.

How long after diagnosis should I receive breast cancer treatment?

In general, the sooner you receive treatment, the better. If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, your consultant will develop a personalised treatment plan for you, which will outline which treatments are needed, when they’ll start, and how long they’ll last.

Can breast cancer come back after a mastectomy?

A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes an entire breast. Although a mastectomy removes all of the breast tissue, there’s still a chance that breast cancer can recur (come back).