Breast cancer
Signs, screening and myths
What breast cancer is, the warning signs to look out for and how to detect it early.
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Understanding women’s cancers
When detected early, breast cancer and cervical cancer are far easier to treat. Clear information is the first step to protecting yourself and the people you love.
Our information sheets
Choose a topic. Each sheet takes just a few minutes to read.
Practical guide
Breast self-exam, step by step
An illustrated six-step guide, a printable checklist and a monthly reminder for your phone.
Cervical cancer
HPV, vaccination and screening
A cancer that can almost always be prevented through vaccination and screening.
Worldwide, in 2022
- women were diagnosed with breast cancer
- 2.3 million
- deaths from breast cancer
- 670,000
- of breast cancers occur in women with no risk factor other than sex and age
- ≈ 50%
Global estimates from the WHO and IARC (GLOBOCAN 2022).
Three habits that save lives
Prevent to preserve: here is what every woman can do, at any age.
Know your breasts
Looking at and feeling your breasts every month helps you notice an unusual change sooner.
Follow the self-exam guideSee someone without delay
A lump, discharge or a change in the skin? Show it to a health professional, even if it doesn’t hurt.
See the warning signsGet screened
Clinical breast exam, cervical screening: find out about the centres near you.
Learn about screening
Frequently asked questions
Is breast cancer a disease of older women?
The risk increases with age, but breast cancer can affect women at any age after puberty. That is why it helps to know your breasts from early adulthood and to see a health professional if anything changes.
Is a lump in the breast always cancer?
No. Most breast lumps are not cancer. But only a health professional can tell: any new lump should be examined, even if it is not painful.
Can breast cancer be cured?
Yes, very often, especially when it is found early and treated promptly. The chances of recovery are much better for a small tumour than for a cancer found late.
Can cervical cancer be prevented?
Largely, yes. It is almost always caused by a persistent infection with certain human papillomaviruses (HPV). HPV vaccination and regular screening make it possible to prevent it or to treat it at an early stage.
Is cancer contagious?
No. Breast cancer cannot be passed on by touch, by sharing a meal or through breastfeeding. A person who is ill needs support, not to be kept at a distance.
The right reflex: talk about it
A doubt, a worry, a question about yourself or someone close to you? Our team will listen and guide you.
Sources
The information on this page is based on publications by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- World Health Organization — Breast cancer, fact sheet (new tab) — OMS / WHO
- World Health Organization — Cervical cancer, fact sheet (new tab) — OMS / WHO
- World Health Organization — Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) (new tab) — OMS / WHO
- International Agency for Research on Cancer — Global Cancer Observatory, GLOBOCAN 2022 (new tab) — CIRC / IARC
For information only
This information does not replace a medical consultation. It cannot be used to make a diagnosis or to choose a treatment. For any question about your health, or if you notice a change, see a doctor, a midwife or a health centre.
Content reviewed on 3 October 2026