Charlotte Ives

Breast cancer: diagnosis and overview of treatment

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK. GPs with a list of 2000 patients can expect to see one new patient with breast cancer per year, although they will see many more women with symptomatic breast disease who do not have cancer. Breast cancer is the second-most-common cause of cancer-related death in women, causing over 10 000 deaths a year. Early diagnosis and improved treatments have substantially improved survival rates. This article aims to increase confidence in recognising sinister breast pathology, as well as to provide an overview of breast cancer management.