Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Learn about standard breast cancer screenings, the stages and types of breast cancer, and how it's treated.
Breast Cancer Screening Tests
Breast cancer screenings are done regularly (often once a year, depending on your personal risk factors and health history). These are performed in order to detect breast cancer in people who don't have any signs or symptoms. Screenings are some of the best ways to detect breast cancer early.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
If your provider notices something abnormal on your mammogram or during a breast exam, you may need to get more testing done.
Breast Imaging Techniques
The most common types of imaging are mammograms, ultrasounds, or MRIs. Depending on your screening results, symptoms, and health history, your health care provider may suggest a certain type of imaging. Be sure to contact your health insurance company to find out what type of breast imaging your health plan covers.
Breast Biopsy
If you received abnormal results that haven't been ruled out by other screenings (such as mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI), a breast biopsy is the next step. This is where a small amount of breast tissue or cells are removed with a needle and tested to see if there's cancer present. A biopsy is the only way to fully confirm breast cancer.
Types and Stages of Breast Cancer
Breast cancers are commonly divided into two categories: either non-invasive or invasive.
- The most common type of non-invasive breast cancer is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). DCIS starts in the breast cells that line the milk ducts.
- The most common type of invasive breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). This happens when cancer cells that start in the milk ducts change and spread into breast tissue outside of the duct and even beyond.
Typically, breast cancer is described with Roman numerals 0 through IV. A breast cancer stage tells you how much cancer is in your body. It can help your health team recommend the best treatment plan for you. A pathologist will study your tumor tissue and lymph nodes in order to accurately stage the cancer. The stage is based on the size and location of the main tumor, as well as how much it's spread to other parts of the body (such as nearby lymph nodes and other organs).
When breast cancer is caught early (stage I), the five-year survival rate is over 99 percent1. This reinforces the importance of regular self-exams and screenings.
Stages 0 through III are early-stage breast cancers
These range from non-invasive to invasive. The higher the number, the more the cancer has spread and/or greater the size of the tumor(s).
Stage IV is advanced-stage breast cancer
It may also be referred to as metastatic breast cancer. This is invasive cancer that has spread outside of the breast and surrounding lymph nodes, invading other organs.
Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Breast cancer is often approached with a combination of treatments and therapies. Your personalized treatment plan will depend on a few factors:
- What stage of breast cancer you have
- What type of breast cancer you have
- Your personal and family health history
Meeting with your oncologist can be overwhelming and confusing. However, it's important to ask your provider questions and do your own research about treating breast cancer. Bring a friend or family member with you to your appointments who can help take notes.
Surgery - Lumpectomy or Mastectomy
The first step in treating breast cancer is often surgery. This includes a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Surgery is an effective way to remove cancerous tumors and breast tissue and can lower the risk of cancer coming back. Individuals who undergo surgery will face some recovery time and may need additional therapy or treatments depending on their type of cancer.
A lumpectomy is the removal of the cancerous tumor or tissue. It allows you to keep much of the breast as is. It's a less extensive surgery and individuals often go home the same day. With a lumpectomy, most women will also need to have radiation therapy for several weeks.
A mastectomy removes the entire breast. It's a major surgery but is very effective at treating breast cancer, especially in the early stages. It may or may not require radiation therapy afterwards. Women usually stay at least one night in the hospital after a mastectomy, and recovery can be more intensive.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is usually done in addition to surgery. It's delivered in a very precise way, aiming to kill only the cancer cells. Radiation is tailored to the type of tumor and surgery you had. It's also based on your breast and chest shape. During a planning session, the radiation oncologist will use a CT scan or MRI to plan and administer the radiation fields. They may put small marks on your skin to make sure the radiation is delivered in the correct position.
The length of your radiation treatment will depend on your breast cancer history. Most women receive radiation once a day, five days a week for 1 to 6 weeks.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be used to treat certain stages and types of breast cancer tumors. Chemotherapy drugs are very effective at killing or disabling cancerous cells.
Additional Therapies
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy may be used after breast cancer surgery to reduce your risk of the cancer returning. Most people take hormone therapy for at least five years.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted drugs (such as monoclonal antibodies) aim to kill cancer cells or slow down their growth. Targeted therapy is often used in addition to chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy medicines can make your immune system stronger. This can help destroy breast cancer cells.
Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Each type of breast cancer treatment has possible side effects. Depending on the treatment, side effects may include:
- Pain
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Soreness
- Hormonal side effects (such as hot flashes)
- Hair loss
Remember that your provider has recommended your treatment because they felt the benefits outweighed the side effects. Let your doctor know if side effects don't feel manageable.
How can I manage breast cancer treatment side effects?
Side effect management may involve some trial and error, including:
- Anti-nausea medications
- Pain relief medicine (such as ibuprofen)
- Movement or exercise
- Rest
- A healthy diet
Keep track of any side effects you have and make sure your health care team is informed so they can help you manage side effects. They may be able to recommend medications that make you more comfortable, so you can continue on your treatment plan. (For example, not taking an anti-nausea medication can lead to vomiting and dehydration, which may interfere with your cancer treatment plan.)
Better Early Breast Cancer Detection with the Know Your Lemons App
Are you confident about performing self-breast exams? The Know Your Lemons app can improve your chances of finding breast cancer early. Features include:
- Self-exam audio guide, video, and report
- Custom screening plan
- Period tracker
- Mammogram scheduler
AskEllyn.ai: A Companion for Your Breast Cancer Journey
Whether you were just diagnosed, are going through treatment, or have a loved one with breast cancer, you deserve support. AskEllyn.ai is a free AI companion, available 24/7. Ask questions or simply receive comfort in this private and unique chat experience.
1American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Facts & Figures: 2024-2025, https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures-2024.pdf, accessed March 26, 2025.
2 American Cancer Society, Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Men, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer-in-men/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html, accessed March 26, 2025.
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