Breast cancer
Last updated: 25 Nov. 2025
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the Elfcare quality team
Have you noticed subtle changes, like feeling more tired, changes in your breast shape, or skin texture you didn’t expect?
Many people overlook small signs like these, assuming they’re just part of getting older or hormonal shifts. But sometimes, these early changes can tell us more about what’s happening inside the body.
Breast cancer develops gradually, often long before noticeable symptoms appear. The good news is that with regular health checks and awareness, it’s possible to detect changes early, when they’re easiest to manage.
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What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer happens when certain cells in the breast start to grow in an unusual way. Instead of dividing and renewing normally, these cells grow uncontrollably and can form a lump or mass called a tumor.
The breasts are made up of glands (that produce milk), ducts (that carry milk), and fatty tissue. Breast cancer can begin in any of these areas, but it most commonly starts in the ducts or glands. This process is influenced by hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which naturally regulate breast tissue growth. When this balance is disrupted by genetics, lifestyle, or hormonal shifts, cell growth may become abnormal.
Understanding these biological changes helps you appreciate why early detection matters: it gives you time to act before major changes occur.
Symptoms of breast cancer
Many early signs of breast cancer are subtle and easy to overlook. Paying attention to small, gradual changes can make a big difference.
Common breast cancer symptoms:
A new lump or thickened area in the breast or underarm
Changes in breast shape or size
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Nipple changes (such as inversion, rash, or discharge)
Redness or scaling on the breast or nipple skin
Persistent pain in one part of the breast
Less common or long-term signs:
Swelling in the upper chest or armpit area
A feeling of heaviness or fullness in one breast
Unexplained fatigue or weight changes
These symptoms can also appear with non-cancerous conditions like cysts or hormonal fluctuations. That’s why testing is so important, it brings clarity and confidence.
What causes breast cancer?
There’s no single cause of breast cancer, but several factors can influence risk.
Genetic factors: Some people inherit mutations in genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, which increase the likelihood of abnormal cell growth in breast tissue.
Hormonal influences: Estrogen exposure over many years through early menstruation, late menopause, or hormone therapy, can play a role in how breast cells grow and divide.
Lifestyle and environment: Diet, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and exposure to certain chemicals may also contribute to hormonal imbalance and oxidative stress, both of which affect breast tissue health.
Age and family history: Risk generally increases with age, particularly after 40. Having a close relative with breast cancer can also raise the likelihood, though many cases occur with no family link.
How is breast cancer detected?
Breast cancer detection involves both imaging and blood-based insights.
Imaging tests:
Mammogram: X-ray imaging that identifies lumps or calcifications.
Ultrasound or MRI: Often used to look more closely at areas of concern.
Blood tests for breast cancer and hormonal balance: Blood tests can reveal biological imbalances that may be linked to breast health, including:
Estrogen and progesterone levels: Help assess hormonal balance.
CA 15-3 and CA 27.29: Tumor markers sometimes elevated in breast cancer.
High-sensitivity CRP: Indicates inflammation, which may affect cell growth.
Vitamin D: Low levels of vitamin D are associated with hormonal and immune imbalance.
These biomarkers are not diagnostic on their own but provide valuable early clues about your body’s internal environment.
Elfcare’s blood tests measure key biomarkers that support breast and hormonal health, helping you spot imbalances before they start affecting your daily life.
Why early detection matters
Breast cancer often develops silently over time. Early insight means you can act before symptoms become noticeable. Regular monitoring allows for small, simple steps like lifestyle changes, targeted nutrition, or further imaging under your doctor’s guidance.
Early detection is not just about preventing disease, it’s about maintaining hormonal balance, supporting long-term vitality, and feeling confident in your health decisions.
How Elfcare can help
Elfcare’s health checks include blood tests that track biomarkers linked to hormonal and inflammatory balance, two key areas that influence breast health.
Our approach focuses on awareness, not diagnosis. By measuring your hormone levels, inflammatory markers, and nutrient balance, Elfcare helps you understand what’s happening inside your body early
Summary
Breast cancer is common, and often quiet in its early stages. Recognizing changes, testing regularly, and understanding your results can make a profound difference in how you manage your long-term health.
When you understand your body, you can make choices that support your energy, focus, and wellbeing every day.
Last updated: 25 Nov. 2025
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the quality team at Elfcare
FAQs
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor that can sometimes spread to other parts of the body. It’s one of the most common cancers among women, but early detection and modern treatments have significantly improved recovery rates. Both women and, more rarely, men can develop breast cancer.
What are the most common symptoms of breast cancer?
Early breast cancer often causes no pain or symptoms. The most common signs include a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm, changes in breast size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin, nipple discharge (especially if bloody), or changes in the nipple such as inversion or redness.
It’s important to remember that many breast changes are benign — but any new or unusual symptom should be checked by a doctor.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually begins with a physical examination and imaging tests such as mammography, ultrasound, or MRI. If an abnormality is found, a biopsy is performed to determine whether the cells are cancerous and, if so, what type and stage of cancer it is.
Can breast cancer be treated or prevented?
Yes. Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, but may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted drug treatments. When detected early, breast cancer is highly treatable, and most people recover fully with appropriate care.