Question 1

What is breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Breast cancer develops when cells in the breast tissue grow out of control. At first, the tumor is confined to one spot. Over time, it can grow into the surrounding tissue and spread through the lymph or blood vessels to form deposits elsewhere, known as metastases. This is exactly why early detection matters so much: the sooner a tumor is found, the gentler the treatment can be.

Question 2

How common is breast cancer in Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Switzerland. Every year, around 6,000 to 6,800 women are diagnosed with it. About 80 percent of those affected are 50 or older at diagnosis. That said, it does not mean younger women should ignore the topic.

Question 3

Is breast cancer the most common type of cancer in women?

Accepted Answer

Yes. No other type of cancer affects women in Switzerland as often. At the same time, the chances of recovery today are good, especially when the cancer is caught early. That makes knowledge and awareness your most important tools.

Question 4

What causes breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, there is no single cause. Breast cancer arises from a mix of age, hormonal influences, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle. Often there is no clear explanation for why one woman develops it and another does not. The single biggest risk factor is simply getting older.

Question 5

Is breast cancer curable?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, yes. The earlier the cancer is detected and treated, the greater the chances of recovery. About four out of five women diagnosed are still alive five years after their diagnosis, and that figure keeps rising with modern therapy. The outlook is always individual and depends on the tumor type and stage.

Question 6

What are the survival rates for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

About 80 percent of women diagnosed are still alive five years after their diagnosis, and more recent data show even higher numbers. For young women and cancers caught early, the outlook is often even better. The key factor is when the diagnosis happens: caught early usually means better chances.

Question 7

How fast does breast cancer grow?

Accepted Answer

It varies a lot. Some tumors grow slowly over years, others faster within months. Since you cannot tell from the outside, it is worth paying regular attention to your own body and noticing any changes.

Question 8

What does breast health actually mean?

Accepted Answer

Breast health means knowing your body, noticing changes early, and making prevention part of your routine. That includes regular self-exams, your annual gynecology appointment, and, from a certain age, mammography. It is not about fear, but about clarity and self-determination. Vorsorge-Check

Question 9

What are the first signs of breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

The most common first sign is a new lump in the breast or in the armpit. Other possible signs include changes in shape or size, skin changes, a pulled-in nipple, or discharge. Keep in mind: in its early stages, breast cancer often causes no symptoms at all. That's why staying attentive is so valuable.

Question 10

What does a breast cancer lump feel like?

Accepted Answer

A malignant lump often feels hard, has an irregular shape, and doesn't move easily. Benign lumps are often smooth, round, and movable. But here's the thing: as a non-expert, you can't tell them apart for sure. Any new lump you can feel should be checked out by a doctor.

Question 11

Does breast cancer hurt?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. In its early stages, breast cancer is typically painless, and a lump often doesn't hurt. So the absence of pain is no reason to assume everything is fine. On the flip side, breast pain is only rarely a sign of cancer.

Question 12

Which skin changes can point to breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Watch for redness, dimpling, hardening, or skin that suddenly looks like an orange peel with enlarged pores. A spot that feels different or seems inflamed should also be checked out. Changes like these aren't always cancer, but they're worth an appointment.

Question 13

What do changes to the nipple mean?

Accepted Answer

A newly pulled-in nipple, a change in its position, or scaly, inflamed skin around the nipple can be warning signs. Changes like these develop slowly and are easy to notice in daily life once you know your body. Have them checked by your gynecologist if they're new.

Question 14

Is nipple discharge dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Not every discharge is dangerous, and many causes are harmless. You should pay attention if there's bloody or clear discharge from just one nipple that comes out without any pressure. That should be checked by a doctor, simply to be on the safe side.

Question 15

Is breast pain a sign of cancer?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. Breast pain is often tied to your cycle and hormones and is rarely a sign of cancer. Still, if the pain is on one side, persistent, or in a fixed spot, it's worth making an appointment. When in doubt, the rule always applies: better to get it checked one time too many.

Question 16

When should I see a doctor about a breast change?

Accepted Answer

As soon as you notice something new that doesn't go away within one cycle. That could be a lump, a skin change, a pulled-in nipple, or discharge. An appointment with your gynecologist will give you clarity. Most changes are harmless, but a specialist should be the one to make that call.

Question 17

Why should I examine my breasts myself?

Accepted Answer

Because you know your breasts better than anyone else. Checking them regularly trains your sense of your own body, so you notice changes early. It isn't a recognized screening method in the strict sense, but it's a simple, free way to stay aware. Prevention Check

Question 18

How often should I examine my breasts?

Accepted Answer

Once a month is ideal. That way you get a feel for what's normal for you and notice differences faster. Make it a regular routine, for example always on the same day of the month.

Question 19

When in my cycle is the best time to examine my breasts?

Accepted Answer

The best time is about a week after your period starts, roughly day three to seven. By then the tissue is softer and less affected by hormones, and changes are easier to feel. If you no longer have a cycle, just pick a fixed day of the month.

Question 20

How do I examine my breasts correctly?

Accepted Answer

Go about it systematically and check the whole breast, including the edge, the armpit, and the area behind the nipple. Do it once standing, for example in the shower, and once lying down, since the breast is flatter then and easier to feel deeper in. Also look at your breasts in the mirror, with your arms down and with them raised. There's not much you can do wrong here; what matters is doing it regularly. Prevention Check

Question 21

At what age should I start doing breast self-exams?

Accepted Answer

There's nothing wrong with starting in your twenties. The earlier the self-exam becomes a routine, the more natural it feels to stay in touch with your own body. That's exactly where Radiosa comes in: prevention should feel normal early on, without pressure.

Question 22

Does the self-exam replace a mammogram?

Accepted Answer

No. The self-exam trains your sense of your body, but it doesn't replace a medical exam. A mammogram can reveal very small changes that aren't yet possible to feel. The two complement each other, and your annual gynecology appointment is part of it too.

Question 23

What do I do if I find something during a self-exam?

Accepted Answer

First of all, stay calm. Most changes you can feel are benign. Watch whether the spot is still there after your next period, and book an appointment with your gynecologist. A specialist can use ultrasound or a mammogram to figure out what's behind it.

Question 24

At what age should I get a mammogram?

Accepted Answer

In Switzerland, regular screening mammograms are recommended starting at age 50. Women with an elevated or family-linked risk should be screened earlier and more frequently, something you work out individually with your doctor. Under 50 and without symptoms, a routine mammogram usually is not necessary.

Question 25

How often should a mammogram be done?

Accepted Answer

Every two years as part of the cantonal screening programs. Women between 50 and 70 are invited to take part, and in some cantons up to age 74. If your risk is elevated, a shorter interval or an additional exam can make sense.

Question 26

How much does a mammogram cost in Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

That depends on whether your canton offers a screening program and whether there is a medical reason for the exam. Within a cantonal program, basic insurance covers the cost, and you pay only the 10 percent coinsurance with no deductible. A purely preventive mammogram outside a program and without a medical indication is something you pay for yourself. What early detection costs in Switzerland

Question 27

Does health insurance pay for the mammogram?

Accepted Answer

Within the cantonal screening program, yes, with no charge against your deductible and only the 10 percent coinsurance. Basic insurance also covers the exam when there is a specific suspicion or a family history. In cantons without a program, basic insurance pays nothing toward a purely preventive mammogram. You can find out which rules apply in your canton through the Vorsorge-Check. Cantonal screening programs at a glance

Question 28

Does a mammogram hurt?

Accepted Answer

The breast is briefly compressed, which can feel uncomfortable, but it only lasts a few seconds. Modern machines use as little pressure as possible. If you avoid scheduling the appointment right before or during your period, your breast will be less sensitive.

Question 29

Is the radiation from a mammogram dangerous?

Accepted Answer

With today's technology, the radiation dose is very low and not harmful. The benefit of detecting breast cancer early clearly outweighs the minimal risk. That is exactly why the mammogram is the most important early detection method.

Question 30

What is the difference between a mammogram and an ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

A mammogram is an X-ray exam and can reveal even the tiniest calcifications and changes. An ultrasound works without radiation and is often used as an add-on, especially for dense breast tissue. In younger women, the tissue is often too dense for a mammogram alone, and that is where ultrasound helps.

Question 31

What does dense breast tissue mean?

Accepted Answer

A dense breast has a lot of glandular and connective tissue and little fatty tissue. That is normal, especially in younger women, but it makes the mammogram harder to read. High breast density also counts as a risk factor in its own right. Whether you have dense tissue shows up on the mammogram, and an ultrasound is added when needed.

Question 32

When does a breast MRI make sense?

Accepted Answer

A breast MRI is used mainly when risk is elevated or hereditary, for example with a confirmed change in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. For these women, a yearly breast MRI is often recommended starting at a young age. It can also add certainty when findings are unclear. Your doctor makes the decision on an individual basis.

Question 33

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Some factors are out of your control: age, hormonal influences, a genetic predisposition, high breast density, or prior radiation treatment to the upper body. Lifestyle factors you can influence include alcohol, smoking, being overweight after menopause, and lack of exercise. The single biggest factor remains advancing age.

Question 34

Is breast cancer hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Partly. Only about 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancer cases are actually inherited. In roughly one in five of those affected, the cancer runs in the family without a clear genetic defect being present. If close relatives developed it at a young age, it's worth talking through your personal risk.

Question 35

What are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes?

Accepted Answer

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that normally help protect against cancer. If one of them is altered, the risk of breast and ovarian cancer rises significantly. Women with such an alteration have a lifetime risk of about 60 to 80 percent for breast cancer. For them, there is special, close-interval early detection.

Question 36

Should I get genetic testing?

Accepted Answer

Genetic testing makes sense if breast or ovarian cancer has occurred frequently or at a young age in your family. A test is always preceded by genetic counseling, where the benefits and consequences are discussed. A test is not mandatory and not a diagnosis, but a decision you should make well informed.

Question 37

Can I lower my breast cancer risk?

Accepted Answer

Part of it, yes. Drinking little alcohol, not smoking, keeping a healthy body weight, and getting regular exercise lower the risk. Breastfeeding has a mild protective effect. But your biggest lever is early detection: noticing changes early and getting them checked out.

Question 38

Does the pill raise breast cancer risk?

Accepted Answer

Hormonal contraception can raise the risk slightly and temporarily; the effect is small and fades after you stop taking it. For most women, the benefits outweigh it. If you have a family history, discuss contraception individually with your doctor.

Question 39

Does breastfeeding lower breast cancer risk?

Accepted Answer

Yes, breastfeeding has a mild protective effect, and it increases with how long you breastfeed. It's no guarantee, but a small positive contribution. What matters more for prevention is staying attentive and catching things early.

Question 40

Will I definitely get breast cancer if it runs in my family?

Accepted Answer

No. A family history raises the risk, but it isn't a prediction. Even an alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes does not mean you will definitely get sick. It means that close-interval early detection is especially important. Genetic counseling helps you put your personal risk in perspective.

Question 41

Can a bra cause breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

No. There's no evidence that bras or underwire bras cause breast cancer. The myth is based on the idea that underwires pinch off lymph channels, which isn't scientifically supported. You can wear whatever feels comfortable to you.

Question 42

Does deodorant cause breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

No, there's no scientific evidence of a link between deodorant or antiperspirant and breast cancer. This myth keeps coming up, but it isn't supported by the facts. You don't have to give up deodorant out of fear of cancer.

Question 43

Do breast implants increase the risk?

Accepted Answer

Implants don't increase the risk of breast cancer. They can, however, make a mammogram harder to read, so an additional ultrasound or MRI may be needed. Let the team know before your exam that you have implants.

Question 44

Can a blow or an injury cause breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

No. An injury to the breast doesn't cause cancer. Sometimes, after a bump, you pay closer attention to your breast and happen to find a lump that was already there. In that case the blow isn't the cause, it's just what prompted you to take a closer look.

Question 45

Do women with large breasts have a higher risk?

Accepted Answer

No, breast size has no effect on the risk. Larger breasts can sometimes be a bit harder to assess during an exam, that's all. What matters isn't size, it's paying attention to changes.

Question 46

Can young women get breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, even though it's less common. Only about 5 percent of cases occur in women under 40, and more than three quarters affect women 50 and older. Even so, there are signs that breast cancer is on the rise among younger women. That's exactly why Radiosa deliberately speaks to young women too: stay aware early, without fear.

Question 47

Can men get breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, though it's very rare. Only about 1 percent of all breast cancer cases affect men. Men should also have any changes in the breast checked out, especially if breast cancer runs in the family. That can point to a hereditary component.

Question 48

What happens during a workup at a breast center?

Accepted Answer

It usually starts with a conversation and a physical exam, followed by a mammogram or an ultrasound depending on the situation. If something looks unusual, a tissue sample provides clarity. Most workups end with an all clear. What matters is that you take the step and don't put it off.

Question 49

What is a biopsy?

Accepted Answer

In a biopsy, a fine needle is used to take a small tissue sample from the area in question, which is then examined in the lab. This makes it possible to reliably determine whether a change is benign or malignant. The procedure is minor and done under local anesthesia. Only a biopsy gives a confirmed diagnosis.

Question 50

Are most lumps in the breast dangerous?

Accepted Answer

No, quite the opposite. About nine out of ten unusual lumps are benign. Many are cysts or harmless tissue changes, especially in younger women. You should still have them checked out, because telling them apart belongs in expert hands.

Question 51

Where can I find support and free services in Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

There are several free points of contact. The PINK CUBE Roadshow offers free physical exams and consultations at various locations. The Krebsliga offers advice at 0800 11 88 11 as well as by chat and email. You can find current events on breast health in the Zurich area at Radiosa. Events

Frequently asked questions about breast cancer and breast care

Breast Cancer Basics