What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. It occurs when cells in the breast tissue grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor that can invade surrounding tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Shanghai's top hospitals offer internationally benchmarked breast cancer care, combining precision diagnostics with the full range of surgical, medical, and radiation treatment options.
Symptoms
Early breast cancer may cause no symptoms at all, making regular screening essential. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
- Change in breast size, shape, or appearance
- Skin changes such as dimpling, redness, or puckering
- Nipple inversion or discharge (especially bloody)
- Persistent breast pain or tenderness
- Swelling in part or all of the breast
Causes & Risk Factors
- Gender and age — risk increases significantly after age 40
- BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations — hereditary breast cancer risk
- Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
- Dense breast tissue
- Hormonal factors — early menstruation, late menopause, hormone replacement therapy
- Lifestyle factors — alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity
- Prior radiation therapy to the chest area
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis and molecular subtyping are essential to guide treatment. Shanghai's breast cancer centers use:
- Digital mammography and 3D tomosynthesis — gold standard for screening
- Breast ultrasound — particularly useful for dense breast tissue
- MRI of the breast — for high-risk patients and pre-surgical planning
- Core needle biopsy — for tissue diagnosis and receptor testing
- Hormone receptor testing — ER, PR, HER2 status to classify tumor subtype
- Genetic testing — BRCA1/2, multigene panels (Oncotype DX, MammaPrint)
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy — to assess axillary spread
Treatment Options
Treatment is highly individualized based on tumor subtype, stage, and patient factors. Ruijin Hospital's breast surgery team offers the full spectrum of evidence-based care:
- Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) — removal of the tumor with clear margins, followed by radiation
- Modified radical mastectomy — for larger or multifocal tumors
- Immediate breast reconstruction — implant-based or autologous flap reconstruction performed at the time of mastectomy
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy — to shrink tumors before surgery, enabling breast conservation
- Adjuvant chemotherapy — post-surgical systemic treatment to reduce recurrence risk
- HER2-targeted therapy — Trastuzumab (Herceptin), Pertuzumab, T-DM1 for HER2-positive disease
- Endocrine therapy — Tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors for hormone receptor-positive disease
- CDK4/6 inhibitors — Palbociclib, Ribociclib for advanced HR+ breast cancer
- Immunotherapy — Pembrolizumab for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
- PARP inhibitors — Olaparib for BRCA-mutated breast cancer
- Radiation therapy — post-lumpectomy or post-mastectomy as indicated
Why Treat Breast Cancer in Shanghai?
- Ruijin Hospital's breast surgery department is one of China's highest-volume centers, with outcomes comparable to leading Western institutions
- Multidisciplinary breast cancer boards ensure every patient receives a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan
- Access to the latest targeted therapies and clinical trials, often at significantly lower cost
- Experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeons for immediate post-mastectomy reconstruction
- Treatment costs typically 60–80% lower than equivalent care in the US, UK, or Australia
- Shorter waiting times — most patients can begin treatment within 1–2 weeks of diagnosis
Our Specialist
Professor Shen Kunwei (沈坤炮) — Chief of Breast Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Professor Shen is one of China's most respected breast surgeons, with expertise in breast-conserving surgery, oncoplastic techniques, sentinel lymph node procedures, and the management of hereditary breast cancer. He has led multiple national clinical trials and is a key opinion leader in Chinese breast oncology guidelines.
How CMCS Can Help
A breast cancer diagnosis is life-changing. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) is here to guide you through every step — from reviewing your imaging and pathology reports, to arranging priority consultations with Professor Shen's team at Ruijin Hospital, coordinating surgery and treatment scheduling, providing on-site medical interpretation, and supporting your recovery and follow-up care. We make world-class breast cancer treatment in Shanghai accessible, seamless, and stress-free.
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