Looking beyond the pink ribbon, Bushra Hakim explores what we know about breast cancer, from early detection and screening to the latest developments in research.
Breast cancer is one of the few illnesses that almost every woman knows of, whether through personal experience, a family member, a friend or the familiar pink campaigns that appear each October. Yet despite how widely it is discussed, many of us know surprisingly little about what it actually is, how it develops or how research is changing the way it is detected and treated. As conversations around women’s health become more open, understanding the facts has never been more important.
Cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. These cells can form a tumour, most commonly in the milk ducts or in the milk-producing lobules. Some tumours remain within the breast, while others can grow into surrounding tissue and spread elsewhere in the body. The difference is important because detection before it metastasises (grows elsewhere) is generally easier to treat.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The newest global estimates, released by the World Health Organization and International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2024, put the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer at approximately 2.4 million per year, with around 694,000 deaths. It was the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in 164 of 186 countries.
The figures also highlight a less discussed side of the illness: where you live can influence what happens after a diagnosis. In countries with very high scores on the human development index (HDI), created by the United Nations Development Program to measure health, education and standard of living, about one in 12 women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime. In countries with low levels on the HDI, the figure is around one in 27, yet survival is considerably poorer because access to early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment can be limited.
There is another side to the picture. Around 8.2 million women were estimated to be living with breast cancer worldwide in 2024, reflecting both the scale of the disease and the growing number of women living beyond a diagnosis.
KNOWING YOUR OWN NORMAL
Breast awareness does not have to mean a complicated examination routine. In fact, research has found that formal self-examination does not reduce mortality. Instead, the emphasis is on knowing how your breasts normally look and feel, making it easier to recognise when something is genuinely different.
Changes worth checking include a new lump or thickening, an alteration in the shape or size of a breast, dimpling or other skin changes, a newly inverted nipple or unusual discharge. These changes do not automatically mean cancer, but they are worth having checked rather than waiting to see what happens.
Screening is another part of the picture. Mammography can identify some cancer cells before they cause noticeable symptoms and remains the main screening tool for women at average risk. Recommendations about when to begin and how frequently to screen differ internationally, so personal circumstances and local medical guidance matter.
WHAT RESEARCH SAYS
The science is changing quickly. One area of interest is artificial intelligence, which researchers are studying as a way of assisting radiologists in analysing mammograms and identifying subtle changes. There is also growing research into blood tests that could detect tiny traces of cancer-related DNA after treatment, potentially helping doctors identify recurrence earlier. Neither is currently a replacement for established screening or follow-up, but both offer a glimpse of where detection could be heading.
Scientists are also taking a closer look at what happens in the body beyond the tumour itself. Inflammation, metabolism and physical activity are being studied for their possible relationship with breast cancer and recovery. Exercise, in particular, is being investigated for its effects on inflammation and quality of life following treatment. It is an area worth watching, but it is important not to confuse promising research with proof that a particular ‘anti-inflammatory’ food, supplement or wellness treatment can prevent cancer.
For prevention, the evidence remains much more straightforward. Regular physical activity, limiting drinking, avoiding tobacco and maintaining a healthy weight are all associated with a lower risk. However, none eliminates the possibility of developing the disease, and many women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factor.
MAKING AWARENESS USEFUL
Though October is traditionally the month when breast cancer is front of mind, it should be about more than remembering a colour for one month of the year. It is about understanding what the disease is, knowing what is normal for you and knowing when to seek advice.
The science will continue to evolve. Screening methods will improve, treatments will become increasingly tailored and researchers will keep looking for ways to detect cancer sooner and understand it better. For now, the most useful things remain remarkably straightforward: keep up with the screening recommended for you, pay attention to changes and do not put off getting something checked simply because you hope it will go away.