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When you are facing breast cancer, you are not alone.  Our entire team of breast cancer experts at the Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center is here for you every step of the way, from prevention, screening and diagnosis through treatment and survivorship. Our goal is to stop your breast cancer. And we have made it our mission to guide your healing — physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Breast Cancer Symptoms

It’s important to understand that different people experience different breast cancer symptoms — including no signs or symptoms at all. If you have any of the following sign or symptoms, you should see your doctor right away:

 

  • Lumps, hard knots or thickening inside the breast or underarm
  • Breast swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
  • Changes in breast size or shape
  • Skin dimpling or puckering
  • An itchy, scaly nipple sore or rash
  • Nipple or breast inversion or retraction
  • Sudden nipple discharge
  • New pain in one spot that does not go away

 

You can improve your chances of catching breast cancer early by performing regular breast self-examinations. Additionally, a clinical breast exam should be part of your annual well-woman checkup performed by your doctor. And, getting your annual mammogram is vital, and may add years to your life. 

Learn more about breast cancer symptoms > 

Breast Cancer Menu

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Types of Breast Cancer

Many people think of breast cancer as a single disease, when in fact, there are many different types of breast cancer — each characterized by unique features and behaviors, such as where the cancer starts, whether it’s invasive or not, its molecular makeup and more. 

Our cancer doctors are experts at using this information to help determine everything from prognosis to what cancer treatment should look like and more.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
An aggressive type of invasive breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer lacks estrogen and progesterone receptors and makes very little of the HER2 protein which is the target of many of the breast cancer treatments available.

Male Breast Cancer
This type of breast cancer is rare (less than 1% of all breast cancers) and begins as a growth of cells in the breast tissue of men. Breast cancer can occur in men at any age, but typically between the ages of 60 and 70.
Learn more about the types of breast cancer

Why Choose Houston Methodist for Breast Cancer Treatment

Houston Methodist’s oncologists, nurses and staff have decades of experience studying and treating all breast cancer types and stages. We are committed to providing comprehensive breast cancer care, creating personal connections to ensure each patient receives excellent care in an atmosphere filled with collaboration, research and compassion.

 

Houston Methodist Breast Cancer Specialists

Our highly skilled team of breast cancer specialists, including medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, nurses, nurse navigators, and support staff, have decades of experience researching and treating all breast cancer stages and types. They make it their mission to work together to design the most effective treatment plan to stop your breast cancer.

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    Breast Cancer Education & Awareness

    We recognize that the sheer volume of breast cancer information out there can be overwhelming, so we have streamlined it below to make it easier for you to digest as well as to make sure you understand what you absolutely need to know.
    • Breast Cancer Information
    • Breast Cancer Stages
    • Risk Factors and Causes
    • Breast Cancer Information

      Breast Cancer Information 

      Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the U.S. — In fact, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection through annual mammograms and other breast exams is the best way to avoid a late-stage diagnosis and have a more successful outcome.

      It's very important to understand your risk for breast cancer. Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center launched its High Risk Program to identify and serve patients with a stronger-than-average chance of developing breast, gastrointestinal, ovarian or uterine cancer. 

    • Breast Cancer Stages

      Understanding the Stages of Breast Cancer

      There are five stages of breast cancer: 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. The higher the number, the more the cancer has spread. The cancer is staged when you are first diagnosed and helps you and your doctor figure out your prognosis, decide on the best treatment options, and determine if you are a good candidate for certain clinical trials.

      Learn more about breast cancer diagnosis and the five stages of breast cancer > 

    • Risk Factors and Causes

      Common Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Causes

      Breast cancer occurs when cells of the breast, often those located in the milk-producing ducts, begin to grow out of control. In some cases, breast cancer is caused by known hormonal or genetic changes. But, in other cases, it's not always exactly clear why breast cancer develops. 

      Having one or more of the risk factors below doesn't mean you'll get breast cancer, just as having none doesn't mean you won't get it. This is simply a list of what's known to be associated with an increased chance of eventually developing this particular type of cancer.

       

      • Family history of breast cancer
      • Personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
      • Personal history of noncancerous (benign) tumors and tissue removal
      • Mutations in breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) or breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2)
      • Menstruation before age 12
      • Giving birth to a first child after age 30 or being childless
      • Beginning menopause after age 55
      • Aging – most cases occur after age 50
      • Consuming more than one alcoholic drink daily
      • Being overweight or obese – especially after menopause or if excess body fat is in the upper body
      • Taking birth control pills at least four years before a first, full-term pregnancy
      • Postmenopausal hormone therapy
      • Estrogen produced by the body
      • Occupational radiation exposure

       

      All women are at risk for breast cancer, and it's a risk that increases with age. That’s why it's important to know the annual screenings that are key to early breast cancer detection, even if you don't have a family history.

      Learn more about breast cancer screenings and prevention >

    FAQs About Breast Cancer