| By Gale Staff |
Each month, people search for the term “breast cancer” more than 300,000 times. “Breast cancer symptoms” adds another 74,000 searches. The results, however, leave users stuck between extremes: dense, clinical pages that assume prior knowledge, or oversimplified content that omits key information.
Public libraries can’t change the internet, but they can offer a better starting point for users. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and throughout the year, Gale Health and Wellness provides patrons with access to medically reviewed, plain-language content they can trust.
The platform’s breast cancer topic page consolidates these resources in one place, with information organized around real-life questions: how to interpret symptoms, when to schedule a screening, what a diagnosis means, how to prepare for treatment, and how to support a loved one.
This is the first of a two-part series. Read on to learn more about risk factors and screening information. Then, check back next week for the second installment where we will share how Gale Health and Wellness can support patients and their families after a diagnosis.
Breast Cancer and Its Risk Factors
As with many cancers, breast cancer risk depends on a combination of factors—some inherited, some environmental, and behavioral. A person’s age or family history can raise their chances of developing the disease, but so can certain lifestyle habits over time, such as alcohol use, physical inactivity, or weight gain after menopause.
Understanding these differences helps people recognize when increased screening or genetic counseling might be appropriate.
Age
While the disease can affect younger women, breast cancer incidence rates rise sharply after age 50 and continue to increase with each passing decade. That’s why annual mammograms are recommended as women get older.
Family History
A person’s risk roughly doubles if a close family member—like a parent, sibling, or child—has had breast cancer. When multiple close relatives have been affected, the likelihood increases further. This pattern doesn’t guarantee a diagnosis, but it may signal the need for earlier or more frequent screenings.
BRCA Gene Mutations
BRCA1 and BRCA2—short for BReast CAncer gene 1 and BReast CAncer gene 2—are tumor suppressor genes that help repair DNA damage. When they function correctly, they act as a natural defense against cancer, but inherited mutations in either gene can significantly increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Carriers of a BRCA1 mutation face a 60–72% lifetime risk of breast cancer. BRCA2 mutations carry a 55–69% risk of developing breast cancer. Doctors might recommend testing for BRCA mutations if there’s a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, especially at a younger age.
Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol use in the years between the first menstrual cycle and first pregnancy may raise breast cancer risk later in life—especially for young women with a family history of breast disease. Even small amounts of alcohol can increase the likelihood of early breast changes that, over time, may lead to cancer. The risk is also dose-dependent, meaning that the more alcohol consumed during that age range, the higher the risk.
Obesity After Menopause
Weight plays a more direct role in breast cancer risk after menopause. When ovarian hormone production slows, fat tissue becomes the body’s primary source of estrogen. Higher body fat means more circulating estrogen, which has been associated with a greater likelihood of developing breast cancer.
Early Signs and Symptoms
Mammograms can catch changes before symptoms appear, but it’s still important to know what to look for. Some breast cancers present with symptoms you can feel or see, such as:
- A firm area or swelling near the breast or underarm
- Change in the shape or symmetry of the breast
- Skin that appears puckered or unusually red
- Nipple discharge that occurs without pressure
- Sudden nipple inversion that wasn’t there before
While self exams are no longer recommended as a primary method of detection, knowing what’s normal for your body can still be valuable. Any new lump, thickening, or change in shape should be reported to a healthcare provider—even if a recent mammogram was normal.
Breast Cancer Screenings
Breast cancer is far more treatable when caught early. Data from the National Cancer Institute shows 99% survival rates five years after diagnosis for localized breast cancer. Once the disease spreads to distant parts of the body, however, that rate drops to 32%. Early detection—through screening and awareness of symptoms—can significantly impact treatment outcomes.
When to Get Screened
Mammograms—low-dose X-rays used to detect breast abnormalities—remain the most effective detection method. For individuals at average risk, many organizations recommend starting annual or biennial mammograms between the ages of 40 and 50. Those with higher risk factors, such as a BRCA mutation or family history, may need to start earlier or receive additional imaging, like a breast MRI.
Helping Patrons Find Free and Low-Cost Screenings
Along with directing patrons to Gale Health and Wellness for screening education resources, one of the most practical ways public libraries can support their community is by helping patrons find reliable information about screening access.
Many national organizations offer free or low-cost mammograms, ultrasounds, and diagnostic services to individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or unable to afford them out-of-pocket.
For example, the American Breast Cancer Foundation has a nationwide network of partner clinics that cover mammograms, breast exams, ultrasounds, and biopsy services for patients without insurance or access to care.
Breast cancer screenings are also available through the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program for people with low incomes who are uninsured or underinsured. Their online tool includes a list of providers and eligibility requirements organized by state.
Help Your Community Access the Right Information at the Right Time
The path ahead for anyone concerned about breast cancer—whether awaiting test results, newly diagnosed, or supporting a loved one—can feel uncertain. Public libraries with access to Gale Health and Wellness can provide their patrons with plain-language, medically reviewed content that respects both the complexity of the topic and the reader’s needs.
If you’re not yet a subscriber, contact your local Gale sales representative to learn how Gale Health and Wellness can help your library meet patrons’ needs with credible, approachable health content.