Quick version
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in Sweden. Approximately 1 in 10 women develop it before the age of 80. Men can also develop breast cancer, though it is rare.
- Common symptoms: The most common sign is a lump in the breast or armpit. Other symptoms may include a change in breast shape, skin dimpling or retraction, or discharge from the nipple.
- Early detection: The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the chances for successful treatment. Therefore, it is important to attend mammography screenings when invited and to be aware of any changes in the breasts.
- Examination and diagnosis: If a doctor suspects breast cancer, the breasts are examined using mammography or ultrasound. A tissue sample is often taken to check for the presence of cancer cells.
- Treatment: How breast cancer is treated depends on the type of cancer and its stage of development. Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, or various medications.
- Prognosis: Most people who develop breast cancer have a good chance of survival. Almost 90 percent of women are alive at least ten years after diagnosis.
- Reducing the risk: Breast cancer cannot be completely prevented, but staying physically active, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Breast cancer – symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis
Breast cancer is a serious health risk for women worldwide and accounts for a significant portion of the total cancer burden. In this article, we answer some common questions about breast cancer, including what it looks like, its symptoms, how many people are affected, and survival rates.
How many people are affected by breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in Sweden. Statistics from 2024 show that 8,803 women and 85 men were diagnosed with breast cancer that year. The median age at diagnosis is 65. However, breast cancer can also affect younger people; almost one in five women diagnosed in 2022 was under the age of 50.
Breast cancer in numbers
- 1 in 10 women develops breast cancer before the age of 75.
- In 2024, 8,888 people were diagnosed: 8,803 women and 85 men.
- Approximately 20 percent of all breast cancer cases can be avoided through healthy lifestyle choices, meaning that around 2,300 women could avoid the diagnosis each year with the right preventive measures.
- Nearly 9 out of 10 women who develop the disease survive, thanks to the possibility of a cure.
The statistics come from Cancerfonden.se and the report Cancer i siffror (Cancer in Numbers), produced by the Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden) and the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) (2022 and 2021).
Symptoms of breast cancer
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump that can be felt in the breast or armpit. However, it's important to remember that most breast lumps are not cancer; they may be the result of swollen breast glands or normal breast tissue. Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include:
- Enlarged or firm breast.
- Bloody or brownish discharge from the nipple.
- Retraction of the skin or rash/redness on the breast.
- Pain and tenderness in the breasts, although this is not a common symptom and is often due to normal hormonal changes.
Diagnosis of breast cancer
The diagnosis of breast cancer is typically established through a process known as triple diagnostics, which includes:
- Clinical examination: A physician carefully examines the breasts and armpits by inspecting and palpating them with their hands.
- Mammography: An X-ray examination of the breasts that can detect tumors, even those too small to be felt.
- Ultrasound and tissue sampling: When necessary, mammography may be supplemented with an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), especially for younger women with denser breast tissue. Tissue sampling involves extracting cells from the suspicious area and analyzing them under a microscope.
It's worth noting that approximately 60 percent of breast cancer tumors are detected through breast cancer screening programs, targeting women aged 40 to 74 years, with approximately two-year intervals.
Self-breast examination
You can regularly examine your own breasts by looking at them in the mirror and feeling them. Learn more here about how to examine your breasts step by step.
Treatment of breast cancer
Treatment for breast cancer varies depending on the stage of the tumor and other factors. Typically, treatment begins with surgery, where efforts are made to preserve as much of the breast as possible. If breast removal is necessary, reconstruction through breast-conserving surgery may be an option. Radiation therapy is usually given to the breast some time after surgery.
Some patients may need chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor. Hormone therapy can be used for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, and for certain types of breast cancer, antibodies targeting specific proteins can be used as part of the treatment plan.
Prognosis for breast cancer
Early detection of breast cancer is crucial for prognosis. Breast-conserving surgery, followed by radiation therapy, can provide as good chances of survival as removing the entire breast. The ten-year relative survival rate for women with breast cancer is close to 90 percent, but it's important to remember that survival rates vary depending on many factors, including the stage of the tumor and treatment methods.
In summary, early detection, screening, and appropriate treatment are critical to improving the prognosis for breast cancer patients. It's also important to continue researching the various aspects of this complex disease to enhance diagnostics and treatment options. Join the fight against breast cancer by supporting the Pink Ribbon campaign.
Do you want to learn more about breast cancer, breast examination, mammography, and how to seek help? Visit cancerfonden.se.
