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Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second-most common form of cancer for women. Men can also get breast cancer, although such cases are rare.

Risk Factors

You are more likely to get breast cancer if you:

  • Are a woman
  • Are older — your risk increases as you get older
  • Do not exercise regularly
  • Drink alcohol
  • Take combination estrogen-progesterone hormone replacement therapy during menopause
  • Currently use certain birth control pills
  • Had breast cancer previously, or have a family history of breast cancer
  • Have a specific gene mutation for breast cancer, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
  • Began menstruation early (before age 12) or menopause late (after age 55)

People with risk factors will not necessarily get breast cancer, and people without risk factors can still get it. We do not always know why some people get breast cancer and some people do not.

Talk to your health care provider about your risks. Be sure to tell them if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Reducing Your Risk

To lower your risk of breast cancer:

  • Get regular exercise.
  • Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, and how often you drink it.
  • Talk to your health care provider about risks associated with birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

Screening

Routine screenings can help you find breast cancer before it causes health problems. Some people who have breast cancer have no signs or symptoms. When breast cancer is caught earlier, it is often easier to treat and even cure.

The most common way to screen for breast cancer is a mammogram. A mammogram is an x-ray picture of your breast. Mammograms can spot breast cancer before you can feel lumps in your breast.

Breast cancer screening is recommended for cisgender women and other people who were assigned female at birth, including transgender men and people who are nonbinary. Trans women who use or have used gender-affirming hormone treatment should talk with their healthcare providers about whether to get screened.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening mammography every two years between ages 40 and 74 for people who are at average risk of breast cancer. Other medical organizations may have different recommendations, such as getting screened every year. Your health care provider may recommend one of these options more strongly.

Some people need to be screened earlier than others, depending on their risk factors. People at increased risk for breast cancer may also need additional screening tests, such as an ultrasound or MRI. Ask your health care provider about the benefits and risks of breast cancer screening and when you should start screening.

You should be aware of how your breasts normally look and feel. This will help you notice when something is different. If you notice any changes, talk to your health care provider.

Where to Get a Mammogram

Most insurance plans cover cancer screening, often without a copay. If you do not have insurance, you may be eligible to sign up for low- or no-cost health insurance. You can also get free assistance signing up for a plan.

If you do not have a health care provider, cannot get insurance or if your insurance does not cover screening, call 311 to find a New York City Health + Hospitals clinic near you and find out if you qualify for low- or no-cost care.

You can also contact the New York State Cancer Services Program, which provides breast cancer screening to uninsured New Yorkers.

If you live in the city, are 40 or older and have not had a mammogram in the past year, you can get a free mammogram at the American-Italian Cancer Foundation’s Mobile Care Clinic.

Additional Resources

More Information