Breasts: health, changes and solutions in Switzerland

The breasts accompany a woman throughout her life and change with her: at puberty, over the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with weight changes, and then at menopause. They raise health questions, such as pain, a lump or discharge, cosmetic concerns, and sometimes worry about breast cancer, the most common cancer in women. This page covers what you need to know about the breasts: how they are built, how they change, how to keep an eye on them, when to seek advice, the most common benign conditions, how screening works in Switzerland, and what solutions exist when their shape or volume weighs on daily life. For surgical procedures in detail, see our breast surgery guide.

Most breast changes are benign: cyclical pain, cysts, fibroadenomas, asymmetry. You should nevertheless seek advice without delay if you notice a new lump, a change in the skin or nipple, bloody discharge or a lymph node under the armpit. In Switzerland, breast cancer screening relies on a mammogram every two years from the age of fifty, often as part of cantonal programmes. When the volume or shape of the breasts is bothersome, several solutions exist, from reduction to augmentation and lifts; some may be covered by insurance when there is a medical impact.

The biological function of the breast is breastfeeding: the mammary gland produces milk to feed the newborn. But the breasts also play a role in identity, femininity, sexuality and self-image, which varies greatly from one woman and one culture to another. Some women attach little importance to them, others a great deal; both attitudes are equally legitimate.

Men also have breasts, in rudimentary form. They can develop in certain circumstances — this is gynaecomastia — and can be affected by cancer, much more rarely than in women.

The proportion of gland to fat varies between women and with age. Breasts rich in gland tissue are described as dense on a mammogram: they are firmer and make images harder to interpret. With age, and especially after menopause, the gland is gradually replaced by fat.

The breasts start to develop between eight and thirteen, under the influence of oestrogen. The first sign is a small bud under the areola, sometimes on one side only, often tender. Development continues over several years, generally until sixteen or eighteen. It is common for the two breasts not to develop at the same rate, and asymmetry during adolescence is usually nothing to worry about.

Very early development, before eight, or no development at all by fourteen justifies a visit to the paediatrician. Very asymmetrical development, a tubular breast shape or very large volume in adolescence may also prompt a non-urgent consultation.

Many parents are surprised to see their baby's breasts, whether a girl or a boy, swollen in the first few days of life, sometimes with a little milky fluid. This is due to the mother's hormones, passed on during pregnancy. It is normal and disappears spontaneously within a few weeks. The baby's breasts should not be squeezed, as this could cause inflammation. Redness, warmth or fever, on the other hand, justify seeing the paediatrician.

In adolescence, the breasts raise many questions: too small, too large, different from each other, painful, with stretch marks or hair around the areola. Most of these situations are normal and change over time. A painful breast bud on one side at the start of puberty is common and is not a worrying lump; it must certainly not be removed.

Adolescents who are worried can talk to their doctor, the school nurse or a sexual health centre. A suitable bra, a sports bra and clear information help a great deal. Genuine medical situations, such as very marked persistent asymmetry, tuberous breasts or significant hypertrophy, are discussed with a specialist, without haste.

During the second half of the cycle, under the effect of progesterone and oestrogen, the breasts retain a little water and the gland prepares for a possible pregnancy. Many women then feel that their breasts are tighter, larger and sometimes painful, with small grainy areas to the touch. These sensations decrease when the period arrives.

For this reason, the best time to examine your breasts is the week after your period, when the gland is softest. Imaging tests are also more comfortable and easier to interpret at this point in the cycle.

On the other hand, a recent change should always be reported: an asymmetry that appears, a nipple that pulls in when it did not before, skin that changes in appearance. It is the newness of the change, more than its appearance, that should alert you.

Knowing your breasts makes it easier to spot a change. Self-examination does not replace mammography screening or examination by a doctor, but it helps detect a change between two check-ups. The aim is not to become an expert, but to know the usual appearance and texture of your breasts.

Look

Standing in front of a mirror, arms by your sides then raised, look at the shape of the breasts, the skin and the nipples: retraction, redness, orange-peel appearance, distortion.

Feel

Lying down, one arm behind your head, feel the opposite breast with the pads of three fingers, in small circles, covering the whole breast, from the collarbone to the fold and from the breastbone to the armpit.

The armpit

Also feel the hollow of the armpit, looking for a hard lymph node or a lump.

The nipple

Look for any spontaneous discharge, without squeezing the nipple.

Timing

Once a month, ideally the week after your period; after menopause, on a fixed date.

A regular gynaecological consultation is an opportunity for a professional breast examination. The doctor looks at the breasts, feels them and the armpits, and answers your questions about pain, contraception, breastfeeding or screening. They review your family history and, if necessary, adapt monitoring. It is also the time to raise, without embarrassment, a cosmetic concern or discomfort related to breast volume: the gynaecologist can refer you to a plastic surgeon.

If you do not have a gynaecologist, your family doctor can carry out this examination. In all cases, the clinical examination does not replace mammography from the recommended age, but it usefully complements it.

Use this consultation to mention any change you have noticed since your last visit, even if it seems trivial, and to check that your screening is up to date. A written list of your questions will help you not to forget anything important in what is often a short consultation.

The vast majority of breast lumps found by women are benign, particularly before forty. That is no reason to wait: a prompt examination is reassuring in most cases and, otherwise, allows an early diagnosis.

The discovery

A lump is noticed while washing or during self-examination. It is normal to be worried; the important thing is not to wait.

The consultation

Within the next few days, the family doctor or gynaecologist examines the breasts and armpits and prescribes imaging.

Imaging

Ultrasound, often combined with a mammogram after forty. Many lumps are immediately identified as cysts or fibroadenomas.

Biopsy if necessary

If the image is not typically benign, a biopsy is performed, often the same day or within the following days.

The result

It is given by the doctor, ideally at a consultation. Most results are benign.

What happens next

Monitoring, a minor procedure, or referral to a breast centre if cancer is diagnosed.

This journey generally takes a few days to two weeks. If you feel it is dragging, do not hesitate to chase your doctor: waiting times should remain short when an abnormality is being investigated.

Breast pain, or mastalgia, is extremely common. It is rarely a sign of cancer. A distinction is made between cyclical pain, linked to hormones, which affects both breasts before a period and then disappears, and non-cyclical, localised pain, which may come from the breast or the chest wall, for example from a joint between the ribs and the breastbone.

Some pain felt in the breast actually comes from the chest wall: inflammation of the joints between the ribs and breastbone, a strained pectoral muscle after exertion, pain from the back or neck radiating forward. It is often localised, triggered by pressure or certain movements, and unrelated to the cycle.

The doctor distinguishes it by examination. It is relieved by anti-inflammatories, rest, heat or physiotherapy. Sudden chest pain with breathlessness, sweating or pain in the arm or jaw requires a call to 144, as it may have a cardiac cause.

Cysts

Small pockets of fluid, common between thirty-five and fifty-five. They are round, mobile, sometimes painful, and can appear quickly. An ultrasound confirms the diagnosis; aspiration can empty them if they are bothersome.

Fibroadenomas

Firm, smooth, mobile lumps, common in young women. They are benign and are monitored; they are removed if they grow or are bothersome.

Fibrocystic changes

Grainy breasts, with firmer and tender areas, especially before a period. This is not a disease but a normal variation of the gland.

Papilloma

A small benign tumour of a duct, which can cause clear or bloody discharge. It is investigated with imaging and often removed.

Fat necrosis

A small hard area caused by damage to fat, after a knock, surgery or radiotherapy. It can look like a suspicious lesion on imaging and sometimes justifies a biopsy.

When a cyst is bothersome, painful or large, it can be emptied by fine-needle aspiration, under ultrasound guidance, in a few minutes and usually without anaesthesia. The fluid, generally clear or greenish, is only analysed if it is bloody or if the cyst has an unusual appearance. Cysts can recur, which is not worrying. A simple cyst that causes no discomfort does not need to be drained.

A typical fibroadenoma, confirmed by ultrasound and often by biopsy in women over twenty-five to thirty, can simply be monitored. It remains stable in most women, sometimes grows during pregnancy and often regresses after menopause. Removal is offered if it grows rapidly, exceeds a certain size, is bothersome or worries the patient. It is done with a minor procedure, sometimes using an ultrasound-guided vacuum technique that avoids a longer scar.

Not all lumps felt in the breast area come from the gland. A lipoma, a small soft, mobile lump of fat, a sebaceous cyst in the skin, a lymph node in the armpit or a prominent rib can be mistaken for a breast lesion. In women who have breast tissue in the armpit, a lump can also appear there, especially during pregnancy. The doctor tells the difference by examination, supplemented if necessary by an ultrasound.

Between clearly benign lesions and cancer, there are so-called high-risk lesions, most often discovered on biopsy. Atypical hyperplasia, for example, is a proliferation of slightly abnormal cells in the ducts or lobules. It is not cancer, but it increases the risk of developing one later and may sometimes coexist with a cancer not seen on the biopsy.

Depending on the type of lesion and the images, the team proposes enhanced monitoring or a minor procedure to remove the area and analyse it completely. Preventive drug treatment may be discussed for some women. These decisions are made case by case, at a multidisciplinary meeting.

Discharge produced by squeezing the nipple, clear or milky, from both sides and from several ducts, is usually benign. Milky discharge outside breastfeeding may be linked to a hormone, prolactin, or certain medicines, and justifies tests. Spontaneous, bloody discharge from one breast and one duct must be investigated promptly with an ultrasound and sometimes a mammogram, as it may indicate a duct lesion.

Paget's disease of the nipple shows as a lesion resembling eczema: redness, flaking, crusting, itching or burning, which first affects the nipple and can then spread to the areola. Unlike ordinary eczema, it generally affects one side only and does not heal with the usual creams. It is often associated with an underlying cancerous lesion. Any persistent one-sided nipple lesion lasting more than two to three weeks must be examined and sometimes biopsied.

Outside breastfeeding, the nipple can be irritated by clothing rubbing, particularly in runners, or affected by eczema, often on both sides and associated with other patches elsewhere on the body. An emollient cream and protection during sport are generally enough. A lesion that affects only one nipple, does not heal within two to three weeks despite care, or is accompanied by discharge must be examined by a doctor.

The small bumps around the areola are Montgomery glands, which produce a secretion that protects and lubricates the nipple, particularly during breastfeeding. They become more visible during pregnancy. They can sometimes become inflamed or release a small secretion; do not squeeze them. Persistent or painful inflammation justifies a consultation.

Mastitis is inflammation of the breast, most often during breastfeeding, linked to engorgement or infection. The breast becomes red, hot and painful, often with fever and flu-like symptoms. Seek advice the same day: treatment relies on continuing to breastfeed or express milk, rest, painkillers and often antibiotics. Untreated, it can develop into an abscess, which requires drainage.

Outside breastfeeding, persistent redness of the breast, especially without fever and without improvement on antibiotics, requires prompt medical attention, as a rare inflammatory cancer can present in this way. Smokers are more prone to recurrent inflammation around the areola.

With age, and more often in smokers, the ducts under the areola can dilate and become inflamed. This duct ectasia sometimes causes thick, greenish or brownish discharge, nipple retraction or a small lump under the areola. Recurrent inflammation, or even small abscesses, may occur. Diagnosis relies on examination and imaging, to rule out another cause. Stopping smoking reduces recurrences; a minor procedure sometimes removes the affected ducts.

The fold under the breasts is a warm, moist area prone to irritation. Intertrigo, redness caused by rubbing and sweating, and fungal infections are common, especially in summer, in women with large breasts or who are overweight. Gentle washing, careful drying, cotton underwear and suitable powders or creams prevent them; a fungal infection is treated with an antifungal cream.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes painful nodules and discharge in skin folds, including the fold under the breasts. It requires specialist dermatological follow-up. In women with very large breasts, breast reduction can clearly improve these skin problems.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Switzerland: more than six thousand women are diagnosed every year, and about one woman in eight will be affected during her lifetime. It mainly affects women over fifty, but can occur earlier. Thanks to screening and advances in treatment, the vast majority of women diagnosed today recover, particularly when the cancer is found at an early stage.

Many women who are affected have no particular risk factor, hence the importance of screening. Conversely, having a risk factor does not mean you will develop cancer.

Survival after breast cancer has improved greatly in recent decades thanks to screening, which allows smaller cancers to be found, and to more effective, better-targeted treatments. Today, the vast majority of women diagnosed are alive five years after diagnosis, and the outlook is particularly good for cancers found at an early stage. These average figures hide very different situations depending on the type and stage of cancer; only the oncologist can assess an individual situation.

Beyond these forms, analysis of the tumour determines its subtype, which is essential for choosing treatment: sensitivity to hormones, presence of a protein called HER2, rate of growth. Each cancer is thus characterised individually.

Hormone-sensitive cancers

The most common. Their cells have oestrogen or progesterone receptors. They benefit from hormone therapy, often for five years or more.

HER2-positive cancers

Their cells strongly express the HER2 protein. Targeted treatments against this protein have transformed their outlook.

Triple-negative cancers

They have neither hormone receptors nor HER2. More common in young women and in BRCA1 carriers, they are treated with chemotherapy and, depending on the case, immunotherapy.

This information, brought together in the pathology report, guides the whole of treatment. Do not hesitate to ask your oncologist to explain the subtype of your cancer and what it means.

After a biopsy or surgery, the pathologist analyses the tissue under the microscope and writes a report. In the case of cancer, it specifies the type of tumour, its size, its grade, which reflects how aggressive the cells are, the presence of hormone receptors and the HER2 protein, a proliferation index, and the status of the surgical margins and lymph nodes. These elements determine the stage and treatment.

This document is technical and can be difficult to read alone. Ask your doctor to explain it point by point and keep a copy. It will be useful for any request for a second opinion or follow-up at another facility.

Breast cancer screening relies on mammography, an X-ray of the breasts that can detect lesions before they can be felt. For women with no particular risk, it is recommended every two years from the age of fifty, generally up to seventy-four. In many cantons, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland, Ticino and several German-speaking cantons, organised screening programmes send a personal invitation and cover the examination without the deductible (franchise), with only the co-payment (quote-part) to pay. Elsewhere, the mammogram is prescribed by the doctor.

Mammography has limitations: it can miss some cancers, especially in dense breasts, and find abnormalities that turn out to be benign after further tests. These advantages and drawbacks are explained in the cantonal programmes' documents; discuss them with your doctor to decide in full knowledge.

After a screening mammogram, the vast majority of women receive a normal result and will be invited again two years later. A small proportion are recalled for further tests because an image needs to be clarified. Among these recalled women, most do not ultimately have cancer: the image was due to overlapping tissue or a benign lesion. Only a minority of recalls lead to a cancer diagnosis, often at an early stage. Being recalled is stressful, but it does not mean you have cancer.

Screening reduces breast cancer mortality in women aged fifty to seventy-four, but it has limitations that are important to know. False alarms, or false positives, are suspicious images that turn out to be benign after further tests; they cause anxiety and sometimes biopsies. Overdiagnosis refers to the discovery of cancers that would never have caused a problem during a lifetime, but which are treated because they cannot be distinguished from others.

Conversely, some cancers escape screening or appear between two examinations. These advantages and drawbacks are presented in the cantonal programmes' leaflets. Taking part in screening is a personal choice, which each woman can make in full knowledge, with her doctor's help.

A cancer can appear between two screening mammograms, even if the previous one was normal. This is called an interval cancer. Some grow quickly, others were not visible on the previous examination, particularly in dense breasts. That is why a normal result does not mean you can stop paying attention: any lump, skin or nipple change between two examinations requires a consultation, without waiting for the next invitation.

About four women in ten have dense breasts at screening, and this proportion is higher in young women. In dense breasts, the gland, which appears white on a mammogram, can mask a small tumour, which is also white. The mammogram report generally indicates density on a four-category scale.

For very dense breasts, an additional ultrasound is sometimes offered, and in certain situations MRI or contrast-enhanced mammography. Recommendations are evolving and differ between countries and programmes. If your report mentions dense breasts, talk to your doctor to decide whether an additional examination is useful in your case.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, mammography screening is generally postponed for women with no particular risk. But any symptom must be investigated: ultrasound is then the first-line test, and a mammogram remains possible if necessary. Pregnant women at high genetic risk should discuss with their team how to adapt their follow-up during this period.

After childbirth, screening resumes its usual rhythm, generally a few months after the end of breastfeeding, when the gland has returned to rest and the breasts have a stable consistency again, in agreement with your doctor or usual gynaecologist.

Mammography

An X-ray of both breasts from two angles, with brief compression, sometimes uncomfortable, which improves image quality. It is the basic screening test.

Ultrasound

A painless ultrasound examination, very useful in young women and dense breasts, and for characterising a lump or cyst.

MRI

A magnetic resonance examination with injection of a contrast agent, reserved for women at high risk and certain particular situations.

Biopsy

Removal of a small fragment under local anaesthesia, guided by ultrasound or mammography, to analyse a lesion. It is the only test that allows a definite diagnosis.

Results are often classified on a scale ranging from normal to highly suspicious, which guides what to do: nothing, a check-up at six months or a biopsy. Ask your doctor to explain this classification if a report worries you.

• If possible, choose the week after your period.
• Do not apply deodorant, cream or talc under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the examination.
• Wear a separate top and bottom.
• Bring your previous mammograms or say where they were done.
• Mention implants, surgery, a biopsy or a recent vaccination.
• Tell the radiographer if you are or might be pregnant.
• Do not hesitate to say if the compression is too painful: it can be adjusted.

After certain vaccinations given in the arm, the lymph nodes in the armpit on the same side can swell temporarily for a few weeks. This is normal, but it may show up on a mammogram or ultrasound. Tell the radiology centre about any recent vaccination, specifying the arm and the date. If possible, schedule screening well away from the vaccination, or have the vaccination given in the arm opposite a breast under surveillance, according to your doctor's advice.

Tomosynthesis, sometimes called 3D mammography, takes a series of images of the breast from different angles, reconstructed into thin slices. It makes it easier to distinguish a lesion from overlapping tissue, particularly in dense breasts, and reduces the number of recalls for images that turn out to be normal. It is increasingly used in Switzerland, for screening or in addition to conventional mammography, depending on the centre. The radiation dose remains low.

Preparation

The doctor explains the examination and checks your treatments, particularly anticoagulants. No fasting is needed.

Locating the lesion

Lying down, you are positioned under the ultrasound probe or in the mammography unit. The radiologist precisely locates the lesion.

Anaesthesia

A local anaesthetic numbs the skin and the path of the needle; the injection stings briefly.

Sampling

Several small fragments are taken with a needle, with a sharp clicking sound. You feel pressure, rarely pain.

Marking

A small, invisible and harmless clip is sometimes left to mark the area for future examinations.

Afterwards

A pressure dressing is applied. A bruise is common in the following days. Normal activities resume the next day.

Various methods are sometimes presented as alternatives to mammography: thermography, blood tests sold online, electronic palpation devices. None has shown sufficient effectiveness for breast cancer screening, and they can falsely reassure or cause needless worry. Mammography, supplemented if necessary by ultrasound or MRI, remains the reference. If you are offered a method, ask what studies it is based on and whether it is recommended by medical societies.

About five to ten per cent of breast cancers are linked to an inherited genetic predisposition, most often a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Several breast or ovarian cancers in the same family, breast cancer before forty, cancer in both breasts or breast cancer in a man are signals that justify a genetic counselling consultation.

This consultation assesses the risk, offers a genetic test if necessary, covered by insurance when the criteria are met, and discusses the options: enhanced surveillance, preventive treatments, preventive surgery. These decisions are personal and are made without haste, with specialist support.

The genetic counselling consultation begins with drawing up the family tree: cancers in the family, type, age at diagnosis, on each side of the family. The doctor assesses the probability of an inherited predisposition and, if it is high enough, offers a genetic test on a blood or saliva sample. The implications of the test for the person and their family are explained before any decision.

A negative result in a family with no identified mutation does not always remove the family risk; follow-up remains adapted to the family history. Psychological support is offered, as this information can be heavy to bear.

In women at very high risk, several measures can be discussed: enhanced surveillance with MRI and mammography, preventive drug treatments that reduce risk in some women, and preventive surgery, such as bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction or, for carriers of certain mutations, removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes once plans for children are complete. Each option has its benefits, constraints and effects on quality of life. The decision is personal, made with a specialist team, without haste.

Men can also carry a BRCA mutation and pass it on to their children. A BRCA2 mutation in particular increases their risk of breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer. They are offered adapted follow-up, including breast examination and earlier prostate screening. When a mutation is identified in a family, male relatives are also concerned by genetic counselling.

Learning that you carry a mutation that greatly increases the risk of cancer, without being ill, is a particular situation. It raises questions about surveillance, preventive surgery, plans for pregnancy, informing the family and sometimes insurance. There is no single right answer: some women choose intensive surveillance, others preventive surgery, sometimes at different times in their lives.

Follow-up at a specialist high-risk clinic, psychological support and contact with other carriers help in making decisions that match your values and life plans. Time for reflection is respected; there is generally no urgency to decide.

Women who received chest radiotherapy in childhood or early adulthood, for example for lymphoma, have an increased risk of breast cancer years later. They benefit from earlier and more intensive screening, often with MRI, starting several years after the radiotherapy. If you are in this situation, tell your doctor, who will organise adapted follow-up.

If a diagnosis is made, care is preferably provided at a breast centre, which brings together radiologists, gynaecologists and breast surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists, pathologists, plastic surgeons, specialist nurses and psychologists. Cases are discussed at a multidisciplinary meeting. Several Swiss centres are certified according to quality criteria, notably the number of patients treated. The cantonal cancer leagues offer information, support and practical advice to patients and their families.

Treatments combine, depending on the case, surgery — breast-conserving or mastectomy — radiotherapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Reconstruction can be offered, immediately or later; it is presented in our breast surgery guide.

A certified breast centre meets quality criteria verified by an independent body: a minimum number of new patients treated each year, experienced specialists in each discipline, systematic discussion of cases at a multidisciplinary meeting, access to a specialist nurse, psychological support and rehabilitation, and monitoring of results. In Switzerland, several labels exist. Choosing a certified centre is a guarantee of quality, without other teams necessarily being less competent; find out about the experience and organisation of the team caring for you.

When an abnormality requires specialist care, a first appointment is arranged at a breast centre. It often combines, on the same day, a consultation with a specialist surgeon or gynaecologist, additional imaging and sometimes a biopsy. A key nurse, often called a breast care nurse, supports you throughout the pathway and answers your practical questions.

• Bring all your previous examinations and their reports.
• Write down your questions in advance.
• Bring someone with you if you wish.
• Ask who will be your main contact and how to reach them.
• Do not hesitate to ask for anything you did not understand to be explained again.

Being told you have breast cancer often causes shock: numbness, disbelief, fear, anger. It is common to remember only a small part of what is said at this consultation. Having someone with you, asking for a written summary, noting your questions for the next consultation and taking time to absorb the information help you through these first days. The breast care nurse and the team's psychologist are available from this moment. Nothing requires you to make a decision within the hour: the treatment plan is explained and discussed.

Many women say it helped them to choose a trusted person to accompany them to important appointments, take notes and ask the questions they did not dare to ask.

In breast centres, a specialist nurse, often called a breast care nurse, supports patients from the announcement of the diagnosis to the end of treatment. She explains the pathway, answers practical questions, helps prepare for consultations, advises on side effects, lingerie, prostheses and skin care, and directs patients to support resources. She is a valuable point of contact between appointments; ask for her contact details from the start.

• What is the type and subtype of my cancer, and what does it mean?
• Which treatments do you propose, in what order, and why?
• Which side effects should I watch for?
• Can I keep working during treatment?
• Should my fertility be preserved?
• Is genetic counselling indicated?
• Whom should I contact if there is a problem between appointments?

Faced with a cancer diagnosis, it is legitimate to ask for a second opinion, for example on a second reading of the examinations, the treatment plan or whether immediate reconstruction is appropriate. Teams are used to this. A second opinion can generally be obtained quickly, without significantly delaying treatment. Files and examinations can be transferred between facilities with your consent.

Swiss breast centres take part in clinical trials evaluating new treatments or new ways of using existing treatments. Taking part in a trial can give access to innovative treatments, under rigorous monitoring, and contributes to progress for future patients. Participation is always voluntary, after full information, and can be stopped at any time. Ask your oncologist whether a trial is relevant to you.

If a mastectomy is being considered, the question of reconstruction can be raised from the first consultations, so that immediate reconstruction is possible if it is indicated and wanted. Some women prefer not to think about it at the time of diagnosis; delayed reconstruction remains possible months or years later. It is useful to know that reconstruction, symmetrisation of the other breast and areola reconstruction are covered by basic insurance.

The order and combination of these treatments are defined for each patient at the breast centre's multidisciplinary meeting. They are covered by basic insurance.

After breast-conserving surgery, and sometimes after a mastectomy, radiotherapy is offered to reduce the risk of recurrence. It generally takes place over one to five weeks, with one short session a day on weekdays, in a radiation oncology department. The sessions are painless and last a few minutes. The skin of the breast may redden as after sunburn, and fatigue often appears towards the end of treatment. Suitable skin care, advised by the team, limits these effects. In the long term, the breast may become slightly firmer and smaller.

During radiotherapy, the skin of the treated breast becomes sensitive. Gentle washing with lukewarm water, a superfatted soap, patting dry, loose cotton clothing and the cream recommended by the team limit irritation. Avoid perfumes, irritating deodorants on the treated side and sun exposure. After treatment ends, the skin remains fragile for several months; strict sun protection is recommended.

Chemotherapy is offered depending on the type and stage of the cancer, before or after surgery. It takes place in several cycles over a few months, generally as an outpatient. Its side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, a drop in white blood cells or hair loss, are now better prevented and treated. Scalp cooling, offered at some centres, can limit hair loss with certain treatments.

In the event of hair loss, a contribution to the cost of a wig can be obtained from social insurance according to the conditions in force; the team and the cancer league will tell you how to apply. Adapted beauty care workshops are also offered at several centres.

• Keep a notebook with your appointments, treatments and questions.
• Stay physically active, even lightly, to reduce fatigue.
• Eat a balanced diet and ask for advice if you lose your appetite.
• Accept help from those close to you with practical tasks.
• Report fever, breathlessness or significant side effects promptly.
• Find out about your rights regarding work and social insurance from the cancer league.
• Look after your mental health: professional support is available.

Supportive care covers everything that helps you live better during and after cancer, alongside treatment: management of pain, fatigue and nausea, nutritional advice, physiotherapy, adapted physical activity, psychological support, social assistance, beauty care and sexual health support. It is offered by breast centres, hospitals and cancer leagues. It is not reserved for advanced situations: do not hesitate to ask for it from diagnosis.

Many women use complementary approaches during cancer: acupuncture, yoga, meditation, hypnosis, herbal medicine. Some, such as physical activity, meditation or acupuncture for certain types of nausea, have shown benefits for well-being. Others, particularly certain plants and supplements, can interact with cancer treatments and reduce their effectiveness. Always tell your team what you take or practise. No complementary medicine replaces validated treatments.

When breast cancer spreads, it generally reaches one or two lymph nodes in the armpit first, called sentinel lymph nodes. During surgery, a substance injected into the breast allows them to be located and removed for analysis. If they contain no cancer cells, the other lymph nodes are left in place, which greatly reduces the risk of lymphoedema and arm stiffness. This technique has greatly improved quality of life after breast cancer.

For hormone-sensitive cancers, hormone therapy is prescribed for five years or more, as tablets, sometimes combined with injections. It clearly reduces the risk of recurrence. Its side effects, such as hot flushes, joint pain, vaginal dryness, fatigue or mood changes, lead some women to stop it.

Before stopping, talk to your oncologist: many effects can be eased with advice, treatment or a change of drug. Physical activity, for example, reduces joint pain. Continuing treatment for the planned duration is important for its effectiveness.

After treatment, regular follow-up is organised for several years: consultations, an annual mammogram, management of side effects. Many women experience this period as a transition, between relief and apprehension. Fatigue may persist for months, hormone therapy may cause hot flushes, joint pain or dryness, and fear of recurrence is common.

Rehabilitation programmes, adapted physical activity, psychological support and nutritional advice are available at several centres and from the cantonal cancer leagues. Returning to work can be gradual. Talk about all your difficulties at follow-up: most have solutions.

After breast cancer, the risk of recurrence depends on the type and stage of the cancer and the treatments received. It is higher in the first few years for some subtypes, but can persist for a long time for hormone-sensitive cancers, hence the duration of hormone therapy. Regular follow-up allows local recurrence to be detected. Between consultations, report any new and persistent symptom: a lump, a change in the scar, unusual bone pain, a persistent cough, unexplained fatigue. Fear of recurrence is common; talking about it helps.

When the cancer has spread to other organs, it is called metastatic breast cancer. It is generally no longer curable, but it can be treated, often for many years, with successive treatments that control the disease and preserve quality of life. Recent advances, particularly targeted therapies, have clearly extended the lives of many patients.

Living with a chronic illness of this kind requires comprehensive support: supportive care for pain, fatigue and nutrition, psychological support, social and professional assistance. Supportive and palliative care teams step in whenever needed, not only at the end of life, to improve comfort and daily life.

After surgery to the armpit, especially axillary clearance, and sometimes after radiotherapy, lymph circulates less well and the arm can swell: this is lymphoedema. It can appear months or even years after treatment. It shows as a feeling of heaviness, swelling, and rings or sleeves that feel tight.

Treatment relies on specialist physiotherapy, with lymphatic drainage, bandaging and a compression sleeve, as well as adapted physical activity and skin care. Early treatment gives better results; report any swelling as soon as possible. The sentinel lymph node technique has greatly reduced its frequency.

In young women, the question of fertility must be raised before treatment starts, as chemotherapy can impair ovarian function. Preservation techniques, such as freezing eggs or embryos, can be offered quickly, without significantly delaying treatment. A fertility consultation is arranged by the breast centre.

Pregnancy after breast cancer is possible and, according to current data, does not appear to increase the risk of recurrence. The timing is discussed with the oncologist, particularly in the case of hormone therapy. See our guide to IVF and assisted reproduction.

Rarely, breast cancer is found during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The normal changes in the breasts then make diagnosis more difficult, which underlines the importance of having any persistent lump examined. Treatment is possible during pregnancy: surgery and certain chemotherapies can be given from the second trimester, preserving the child's health. These situations are managed by specialist teams, in close liaison with obstetricians.

Losing a breast or having it altered by breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy can upset body image, femininity and intimate life. Some women choose reconstruction, others an external prosthesis, others still live with a flat chest and embrace it. Each choice deserves respect.

Breast centres and cancer leagues offer psychological support, self-image workshops, and advice on suitable lingerie and prostheses. Time also helps: many women say that, over the years, they have found a more peaceful relationship with their body. Reconstruction is presented in our breast surgery guide.

After breast surgery, ordinary lingerie may no longer be suitable. Bras without underwiring, with pockets to hold a prosthesis, adapted swimwear and clothes designed to disguise an asymmetry are available in specialist shops and from some mainstream brands. A trained adviser helps find the right model. Finding lingerie you like often contributes a great deal to feeling like yourself again.

Breast cancer treatments often affect intimate life: fatigue, reduced desire, vaginal dryness linked to hormone therapy or induced menopause, changes in body image and breast sensation. These difficulties are common, but still too rarely discussed.

Solutions exist: vaginal moisturisers and lubricants, pelvic floor physiotherapy, sexual health support, alone or as a couple. Some local treatments are possible even after a hormone-sensitive cancer, on the oncologist's advice. Do not hesitate to raise this at follow-up.

Regular physical activity reduces treatment-related fatigue, improves quality of life, helps keep a stable weight and is associated with a reduced risk of recurrence. It can start during treatment, in an adapted way, and continue afterwards. Supervised adapted physical activity programmes exist in several Swiss cities and through the cancer leagues. After armpit surgery, a gradual return to arm movement, guided by a physiotherapist, prevents stiffness.

A breast cancer diagnosis also affects the partner, children, parents and friends. Being present, listening without minimising or dramatising, helping practically with journeys, meals or children, going to appointments with her if she wishes: these gestures count for a great deal. It is also important to respect her pace and her choices.

Those close to her also need support. The cancer leagues offer advice and groups for relatives, and breast centres can refer to a psychologist. For children, age-appropriate leaflets and workshops help explain the illness.

Children quickly sense that something is happening. Explaining the illness in words suited to their age, without going into every detail but without lying, reassures them more than silence. It helps to tell them that they are not responsible, that the illness is not contagious, that doctors are looking after their mother and that their daily life will be organised. Informing the school allows teachers to be attentive. The cancer leagues and some centres offer leaflets, books and workshops for patients' children.

Talking with other women who are living with or have lived through breast cancer often brings valuable support, complementing that of carers and loved ones. Support groups, patient associations and shared activities, such as adapted walking, yoga or rowing, exist in many Swiss cities. The cantonal cancer leagues and breast centres can direct you to these resources. Specific associations also support women with a genetic predisposition.

Returning to work is an important step, often wanted, sometimes feared. Fatigue can persist for several months after treatment. A gradual return, on a therapeutic part-time basis, is often possible, in agreement with the doctor, the employer and, where applicable, the loss-of-earnings insurer or disability insurance (AI/IV). The cancer leagues advise on employment law and social insurance questions and can facilitate dialogue with the employer.

• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Take regular physical activity, at least one hundred and fifty minutes a week.
• Keep a stable weight, particularly after menopause.
• Breastfeed, when possible and desired.
• Discuss the duration of menopausal hormone therapy with your doctor.
• Do not smoke.
• Take part in screening from the recommended age.

These measures reduce risk without eliminating it. They also benefit health in general, particularly cardiovascular health.

These factors explain part of the risk, but not all of it: genetics, age and chance play an important role. A model lifestyle does not guarantee never falling ill, and falling ill does not mean you have done something wrong. These measures remain beneficial for health in general.

No single food protects against breast cancer, but a balanced diet, rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and pulses and low in processed foods, helps maintain a healthy weight, which is an important factor after menopause. Alcohol is the dietary factor most clearly associated with increased risk.

Soy, often a source of concern, does not appear to increase risk when eaten as part of a normal diet; concentrated phytoestrogen supplements, however, should be avoided after a hormone-sensitive cancer, unless the oncologist advises otherwise. Be wary of diets presented as anti-cancer, which have not shown effectiveness and can lead to deficiencies.

The breasts change from the first few weeks of pregnancy: they become more sensitive and heavier, the areolas darken and widen, the small Montgomery glands become more visible and the veins show under the skin. Volume may increase by one or two sizes. Late in pregnancy, a yellowish fluid, colostrum, may leak from the nipple.

These changes are normal. A suitable bra, without rigid underwiring and readjusted over the months, improves comfort. Stretch marks are common and depend mainly on genetics; creams have a limited effect. A lump that appears during pregnancy must be examined as it would be outside pregnancy, without waiting for the birth.

After childbirth, the milk comes in within two to four days. The breasts become tight and sometimes painful. Engorgement is relieved by frequent feeds, warm compresses before feeds and cold afterwards. Cracked nipples, very common at first, are often linked to poor positioning of the baby; a midwife or lactation consultant helps correct it.

In Switzerland, independent midwives provide home follow-up after birth, covered by basic insurance, and lactation consultations are also partly covered. After weaning, the breasts often empty and may descend; they regain a stable shape a few months later.

After breastfeeding stops, the gland gradually returns to rest over several weeks to a few months. The breasts decrease in volume, become softer and sometimes lower than before pregnancy. A little milk may persist for a long time when the nipple is squeezed, which is normal. Gradual weaning limits engorgement. It is advisable to wait until the breasts have stabilised, often six months after weaning, before judging their final appearance or considering a procedure.

Most common medicines are compatible with breastfeeding, but some pass into the milk in significant amounts. Before taking a medicine, even over the counter, ask a doctor, midwife or pharmacist. Specialist databases allow the compatibility of each substance to be checked. For imaging tests or anaesthesia during breastfeeding, most situations allow breastfeeding to continue without interruption.

A breast pump allows milk to be collected to give to the baby later, relieves engorgement or maintains supply in the event of separation. On medical prescription, the rental of an electric breast pump is covered by basic insurance for a set period, according to the conditions in force. A midwife or lactation consultant advises on choosing the right flange size, which is essential to avoid pain and nipple damage.

It is common for one breast to produce more milk than the other, or for the baby to prefer one side. This can accentuate an asymmetry during breastfeeding, which generally eases after weaning. It is possible to breastfeed from one breast if the other does not produce milk, for example after surgery. A lactation consultant helps balance feeds and find suitable solutions.

At menopause, the fall in hormones leads to a decrease in gland tissue, which is replaced by fat. The breasts become softer, often less dense on mammograms, and tend to descend. Cyclical pain generally disappears. Menopausal hormone therapy can maintain some density and sometimes cause breast tension.

The risk of breast cancer increases with age, hence the importance of continuing screening. New localised pain, a lump, discharge or a skin change after menopause must always be examined.

After seventy, the breasts are generally soft, made up mostly of fat, and easier to examine. The risk of breast cancer remains high at this age, while organised screening often stops at seventy-four. It is therefore important to keep observing your breasts and seek advice if anything changes. The decision to continue mammograms is made with the doctor, according to each woman's health and wishes.

Irritation under the breasts, fungal infections and back pain linked to the weight of the breasts are common in older women. Careful hygiene, a suitable bra and skin care relieve most of these problems.

The contraceptive pill can cause breast tension, especially in the first few months, and in some women a slight increase in volume. In others, it can reduce cyclical pain. The link between hormonal contraception and breast cancer risk is weak and temporary; it must be weighed against its benefits. In women who have had hormone-dependent breast cancer, hormonal contraception is generally not advised; the gynaecologist then offers other methods.

Several hormonal disorders can change the breasts. Excess prolactin, sometimes caused by a small benign pituitary tumour, causes milky discharge and menstrual problems. Thyroid disorders can alter the cycle and breast sensitivity. Polycystic ovary syndrome is sometimes accompanied by increased hair around the areola. In men, a fall in testosterone or excess oestrogen encourages gynaecomastia. A simple hormone test often identifies these causes so that they can be treated.

If you notice a change after starting a treatment, do not stop the medicine on your own: talk to your doctor, who can adjust the treatment if necessary.

It is estimated that a large proportion of women wear a poorly fitting bra. An unsuitable size can cause back and shoulder pain, marks, irritation and insufficient support. A good bra relies mainly on the band, which should stay horizontal without riding up at the back, while the straps serve only to stabilise. The cups should hold the breast without compressing it or gaping.

• Have yourself measured regularly, particularly after pregnancy, a weight change or at menopause.
• Try several sizes and styles, as sizes vary between brands.
• Check that the underwire sits in the fold under the breast without pressing on the gland.
• For sport, choose a sports bra suited to the intensity of the activity.
• It has not been shown that wearing a bra at night stops the breasts from sagging; do what feels comfortable.

Sleeping on your front can be uncomfortable with large or sensitive breasts, and sleeping on your side may, over the years, encourage wrinkles on the décolleté. There is no ideal position for preserving the shape of the breasts. Women with large or painful breasts may find a light bra at night or a cushion placed under the breasts when lying on their side more comfortable. After surgery, specific position instructions are given for the first few weeks.

During running or high-impact sports, the breasts move in three directions, which can cause pain and, in the long term, help stretch the supporting tissues. A well-fitted sports bra greatly reduces this movement and pain. For large breasts, high-support models with separate cups are more effective. Discomfort linked to very heavy breasts is one of the reasons women consult for a breast reduction.

Large breasts pull the shoulders forward and strain the muscles of the upper back and neck, which encourages a hunched posture and pain. Conversely, some women who are self-conscious about their breasts, whether small or large, adopt a withdrawn posture. Physiotherapy focused on strengthening the back muscles and opening the shoulders, a genuinely suitable bra and active breaks at work often improve this pain. When it persists despite these measures, it is one of the elements taken into account for a breast reduction.

In sportswomen, breast pain during exercise is common and can limit performance. A sports bra suited to the discipline and body shape is the best remedy. Nipple chafing on long runs can be prevented with suitable protection. Very slim elite athletes may have underdeveloped breasts and irregular or absent periods when energy intake is insufficient; this energy deficit has consequences for bone health and deserves medical advice.

As fat makes up a large part of breast volume, weight changes alter the breasts directly. Repeated cycles of weight gain and loss stretch the skin and speed up sagging. Smoking damages the elastic fibres of the skin and also encourages sagging, as well as its effects on health. Moisturising the skin, protecting the décolleté from the sun and keeping a stable weight help preserve skin quality, without preventing natural changes linked to age and pregnancies.

The skin of the décolleté is thin and very exposed to the sun. Over the years, it can develop pigmentation, vertical lines from sleeping on your side, and lose elasticity. Daily sun protection in summer, regular moisturising and stopping smoking preserve its quality. Sleep lines on the décolleté can be softened by sleeping on your back or using a suitable cushion. This care does not prevent natural changes in breast shape, but it improves the appearance of the skin.

In men, gynaecomastia, the development of breast gland tissue, is common at puberty and after sixty, and may also be linked to medicines, performance-enhancing products or illness. It must be distinguished from simple excess fat. A medical assessment looks for a cause. When it persists and is bothersome, surgical correction is possible; see our page on gynaecomastia in Switzerland.

Breast cancer also exists in men, much more rarely than in women: it accounts for about one per cent of breast cancers. It usually shows as a hard lump under the areola, sometimes discharge or nipple retraction. Any man who finds a lump in his breast must seek advice, all the more so with a family history or a known genetic mutation in the family.

For many men and adolescent boys, gynaecomastia is a source of considerable embarrassment: avoiding changing rooms, swimming pools or close-fitting T-shirts, hunching to hide the chest. These difficulties are common and legitimate. Talking to a doctor first allows a cause to be looked for, then solutions to be considered: stopping a medicine or product responsible, weight loss if fat predominates, or surgical correction if the gland persists. In adolescents, patience is often rewarded, as gynaecomastia frequently regresses at the end of puberty.

Those close to them can help by avoiding remarks about the body, particularly with adolescents, who are very sensitive to how others see them. A discreet compression vest worn under clothing relieves some men while they wait for a lasting solution. After surgical correction, most quickly regain great freedom in their activities, choice of clothing and sport.

Regular self-examination is not recommended for all men, but it is useful to know the signs that should raise concern: a hard lump under the areola, nipple retraction or discharge, a lymph node in the armpit. Men who carry a genetic mutation or have a significant family history receive specific follow-up. A man should never hesitate to seek advice about a breast abnormality out of embarrassment or because he thinks it does not concern him.

In trans women, feminising hormone therapy causes breast development, generally over two to three years, often modest. The breasts may be tender during this period, as at puberty. The risk of breast cancer increases with the length of treatment, while remaining lower than in cisgender women. Screening may be offered depending on age and the length of hormone therapy; talk to your doctor. When development remains insufficient, breast augmentation can be considered.

Quite apart from any illness, the shape or volume of the breasts can become a real burden. Very large breasts cause pain, irritation and physical limitations. Very small, emptied or sagging breasts can undermine self-confidence. Significant asymmetry complicates the choice of clothes. These concerns are legitimate, and several solutions exist, surgical or not.

Each situation is described in detail on our dedicated pages, and our breast surgery guide presents all the procedures, their recovery and their risks.

Women with implants must continue to keep an eye on their breasts like other women and take part in screening according to their age. Self-examination is possible: you learn to recognise the edge of the implant, which should not be confused with a lump. Regular implant follow-up, at least every one to two years, allows rupture or capsular contracture to be detected.

Significant swelling of a breast appearing years after an implant was placed, a lump, a recent distortion or new pain should lead you to seek advice. Our breast surgery guide describes implant follow-up and possible complications.

A plastic surgeon can be consulted when the shape, volume or symmetry of the breasts weighs on comfort or self-confidence, once health questions have been ruled out and the breasts have stabilised. They are also the contact for reconstruction after cancer, correction of tuberous breasts or significant asymmetry, and gynaecomastia in men. They examine, explain the options, their results and constraints, and help you decide without pressure. Our breast surgery guide presents these procedures.

After a reduction, lift, augmentation or fat transfer, the breasts change in consistency and may have small firm areas linked to healing. It is useful to get to know them so that you can spot a later change. Always mention your surgery to the radiologist and bring your previous examinations: some images, such as small calcifications after fat transfer, are common and benign but must be interpreted with full knowledge. Screening continues according to the usual recommendations.

Before considering surgery, simple solutions often improve comfort and appearance. A genuinely suitable bra makes a big difference, particularly for large breasts. Padded bras or bras with removable pads correct a slight asymmetry or add volume. External silicone breast prostheses, used after a mastectomy, also come in small sizes to balance a significant asymmetry. Physiotherapy strengthens the back and shoulders in the case of heavy breasts. These solutions do not suit everyone, but they are worth knowing about.

After a mastectomy without reconstruction, or to balance a significant asymmetry, an external prosthesis placed in a suitable bra restores a symmetrical silhouette under clothing. There are many models: silicone of a weight close to a natural breast, lightweight for summer or sport, adhesive, or partial to complement a breast after breast-conserving surgery. Specialist shops offer fitting and advice. After a mastectomy, insurance generally contributes to the cost according to the conditions in force; the breast centre will tell you how to apply.

• Is the concern physical, cosmetic or both?
• How long has it lasted, and has it changed?
• Is my weight stable? Do I plan to have children?
• Have I tried non-surgical solutions?
• Is the request coming from me?
• Am I prepared to accept scars and a recovery period?

These questions help you prepare for a constructive consultation. A qualified plastic surgeon will examine your breasts, explain the options suited to your body shape and help you choose, without rushing you.

The breasts have a place in intimate life, but that place varies greatly from one couple to another. Discomfort about your breasts, a change after pregnancy, an illness or surgery can alter how you feel in intimacy. Talking about it openly with your partner often reveals that their view is kinder than you imagine. When the discomfort is significant, sexual health support can help, alone or as a couple.

Find out

Understand the options, their results, risks and follow-up, particularly for implants.

Check your health

Bring screening up to date according to your age; mention your medical history.

Consult a qualified plastic surgeon

Examination, measurements, discussion of the options suited to your body shape.

Take your time

Reflection period, possibly a second opinion.

Organise

Recovery period, help, time off work, budget.

Our pages on breast augmentation, the breast lift and breast reduction describe each procedure in detail.

Julie, 28

She finds a mobile lump in her right breast. The ultrasound shows a fibroadenoma; monitoring is proposed.

Anne, 44

Pain in both breasts before her periods for months. A better-fitting bra and cutting down on coffee bring clear relief.

Martine, 52

She receives the invitation from the cantonal programme and has her first screening mammogram; the result is normal.

Sarah, 33

While breastfeeding, one breast becomes red and hot, with fever. A same-day consultation confirms mastitis, treated within a few days.

Claire, 39

Her mother and aunt had breast cancer at a young age. A genetic counselling consultation is arranged and adapted screening offered.

Lina, 17

Worried about the asymmetry of her breasts, she seeks advice. The doctor reassures her and advises waiting until development is complete.

Nicole, 48

Very heavy breasts and neck pain. After physiotherapy brings insufficient improvement, a breast reduction is covered by insurance.

Marc, 62

He finds a lump under the areola. The assessment concludes that it is gynaecomastia caused by a medicine, which is replaced.

"Underwired bras cause cancer"

False. No study has shown a link.

"Deodorants cause breast cancer"

The available studies have not established a link.

"A painful lump is never cancer"

Most painful lumps are benign, but pain does not rule out cancer; any new lump must be examined.

"Breastfeeding makes the breasts sag"

It is mainly pregnancy, age, genetics and weight that play a part; breastfeeding itself has a limited role.

"Small breasts protect against cancer"

False. Breast size does not significantly influence risk.

"Mammograms cause cancer"

The radiation dose is very low; from the age of fifty, the benefit of screening far outweighs this theoretical risk.

"Men cannot get breast cancer"

False, although it is rare.

"Breast cancer is always hereditary"

False. Only five to ten per cent of breast cancers are linked to a genetic predisposition; most occur in women with no family history.

"A knock to the breast can cause cancer"

False. A knock can cause a bruise or a small hard area of damaged fat, but not cancer. It may, however, draw attention to a lump that was already there.

"Young women are not affected"

Breast cancer is rare before forty, but it does occur. Any persistent lump must be examined, whatever your age.

"If the mammogram is normal, there is nothing to worry about for two years"

A cancer can appear between two examinations. Stay alert to changes.

"Implants protect against or hide cancer"

They do not protect against it and do not prevent it from being detected, provided you tell the radiologist they are there.

• Waiting several months before having a new lump examined.
• Neglecting bloody discharge or a nipple that pulls in.
• Ignoring the invitation to organised screening.
• Not telling your doctor about your family history.
• Stopping a treatment on your own because it changes your breasts.
• Staying alone with your worry while waiting for a result.
• Believing that pain rules out cancer, or that the absence of pain rules out disease.

The internet and social media are full of information about breasts, of very variable quality: testimonials, beauty tips, promises of firming products, alarmist theories about screening. Favour official sources, such as the cancer leagues, cantonal screening programmes, hospitals and medical societies. Be wary of miracle products and content that discourages you from seeking advice or being screened. Your doctor remains the best person to help interpret information.

• Note when you first noticed the change and whether it varies with your cycle.
• Bring your previous mammograms and ultrasounds, with the reports.
• List your treatments, including hormonal and contraceptive ones.
• Note breast and ovarian cancers in your family, with the age at diagnosis.
• Mention any previous breast surgery, including implants.
• Write down your questions so you do not forget them.

Between discovering an abnormality and getting a biopsy result, the wait is often very difficult. It is normal to feel anxious. A few pointers can help: remember that most abnormalities investigated turn out to be benign, ask the doctor how long the results will take and how they will be given, have someone with you at the results consultation, and do not stay alone with your worries. The cantonal cancer leagues offer a free helpline, including during this period of uncertainty.

Some women live with an intense fear of breast cancer: checking their breasts several times a day, multiple consultations, constantly searching for information, anxiety at every sensation. This worry is common after a loved one's cancer, after a false alarm or in women with a predisposition. It can become exhausting and, paradoxically, make surveillance less effective.

Drawing up a clear surveillance plan with your doctor, adapted to your real risk, helps avoid unnecessary repeat examinations. Psychological support, sometimes short-term, can reduce anxiety and help you regain a calmer relationship with your body. The cancer leagues' helplines are also open for these worries.

The invitation

At fifty, Martine receives a letter from the cantonal programme with a leaflet explaining the benefits and limitations of screening.

The appointment

She chooses an approved centre near her home and books an appointment for the week after her period.

The examination

Four views, brief and slightly uncomfortable compression. Fifteen minutes in total.

The reading

The images are read independently by two radiologists.

The result

Two weeks later, a letter informs her that the examination is normal. Next appointment in two years.

The invoice

The examination is billed to her insurer without the deductible (franchise); she pays only the co-payment (quote-part).

The discovery

At her screening, a small image is judged to need checking. Claire is called back for further tests.

The tests

A targeted view and an ultrasound are performed, then a biopsy under local anaesthesia the same day.

The wait

Five difficult days of waiting. She calls the cancer league's helpline, which helps her.

The result

The lesion is benign. A check is simply planned at the next screening.

What she takes away

Most abnormalities investigated are benign, and the process was quick and well explained.

Check doctors' specialist titles in the federal MedReg register. For organised screening, your canton's invitation lists the approved radiology centres.

Several resources exist for reliable information: your family doctor and gynaecologist, hospital breast centres, the cantonal cancer leagues and the Swiss Cancer League, with their leaflets, free helpline and advice, the cantonal screening programmes and their federation, Swiss Cancer Screening, as well as midwives and lactation consultants for questions about breastfeeding. These sources rely on current medical knowledge and are independent of any commercial interest.

Each canton has a cancer league, grouped together within the Swiss Cancer League. They provide information on prevention and screening, support people affected and their families, and offer social, legal and financial advice, support groups, courses and rehabilitation programmes. A free helpline answers questions, including while waiting for a result. These services are available without a prescription.

The family doctor and gynaecologist are the first point of contact for a breast symptom. They examine, prescribe tests, interpret results and refer to a breast centre if necessary. The gynaecologist also often handles screening follow-up and contraception. The midwife supports pregnancy, breastfeeding and the postnatal period, and can recognise breast problems linked to breastfeeding. The radiologist performs and interprets imaging tests and biopsies.

To talk about your breasts, a worry or a diagnosis, it is essential to understand clearly and be able to express yourself. In French-speaking Switzerland, consultations take place in French. In the major German-speaking cities, many doctors see patients in French or English; mention this when booking. Hospitals can call on professional interpreters. The leaflets of the screening programmes and cancer leagues are available in several languages.

These guidelines are general; the precise conditions depend on your situation, your canton and your insurer. If in doubt, ask for written confirmation before an examination or procedure where coverage is uncertain. For cosmetic procedures, orders of magnitude are given on our page on breast surgery prices in Switzerland.

Outside a cantonal programme, a mammogram prescribed by the doctor is covered by basic insurance under the usual deductible and co-payment rules when it is medically indicated, for example because of a symptom or a particular risk. A screening mammogram performed outside a programme in a woman with no particular risk may, depending on the situation, remain partly at her expense. Check with your insurer and your doctor before the examination.

Screening examinations and the initial assessment of an abnormality are carried out everywhere, in gynaecology practices and radiology centres. Breast centres, which treat cancers, are located in cantonal and university hospitals. Organised screening programmes depend on the cantons; ask your doctor or the cantonal cancer league.

Geneva

Organised screening programme, a university breast centre and several private centres, many plastic surgeons.

Vaud

Cantonal screening programme; university breast centre in Lausanne and regional centres; wide cosmetic provision.

Neuchâtel, Jura and Bernese Jura

Intercantonal screening programme in the Jura Arc; regional breast centre; Basel and Bern for certain complex cases.

Fribourg

Cantonal programme; breast centre in Fribourg; bilingual consultations.

Valais

Cantonal programme; cantonal breast centre; cosmetic provision in Sion, Martigny and Monthey.

Bern and Solothurn

Breast centres in Bern, Biel/Bienne, Thun and Solothurn; check the screening arrangements in your canton.

Basel

A renowned university breast centre; private clinics; accessible from Jura and Aargau.

Zurich

Several certified breast centres and the widest plastic surgery provision in German-speaking Switzerland.

Central and Eastern Switzerland

Breast centres in Lucerne, Zug, St. Gallen and Frauenfeld; cosmetic provision in the main towns.

Graubünden and Ticino

Breast centre in Chur; screening programme and breast centres in Ticino, consultations in Italian.

For 40 cities, this table shows access to a breast centre, the most common form of screening in the canton, and the presence of plastic surgeons for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Screening arrangements may change; check with your doctor or your cantonal cancer league.

Mastalgia: Breast pain.

Fibroadenoma: Common benign tumour in young women.

Cyst: Pocket of fluid in the gland.

Mammography: X-ray of the breasts.

Biopsy: Removal of a fragment for analysis.

Dense breasts: Breasts rich in gland tissue, harder to analyse on mammography.

Mastitis: Inflammation of the breast, often during breastfeeding.

Gynaecomastia: Development of breast gland tissue in men.

Breast centre: Multidisciplinary unit that treats breast diseases.

• The breasts change throughout life, and most changes are benign.
• A new lump, a change in the skin or nipple, or bloody discharge justify a prompt consultation.
• Mammography screening is recommended every two years from the age of fifty.
• A family history of cancer justifies genetic counselling.
• A suitable bra relieves many pains and discomforts.
• When the shape or volume of the breasts weighs on daily life, solutions exist, sometimes covered by insurance.

Medespoir Suisse helps you find the right contact, whether your question concerns the health of your breasts, a concern about their shape or volume, or reconstruction. We direct you to gynaecologists, breast centres or plastic surgeons in your region and your language, and help you prepare your questions.

This page gives general guidelines. It does not replace a medical consultation, an examination of your breasts by a professional or your doctor's personalised recommendations. If in doubt or if you have symptoms, seek advice: it is the best way to be reassured or treated quickly.

Knowing your breasts, knowing what is normal and what should raise concern, taking part in screening and daring to seek advice: these simple steps protect your health. When the breasts weigh on comfort or self-confidence, solutions exist, from suitable lingerie to surgery. To find out more, see our breast surgery guide and our pages on each procedure.

All pages in this section

• Breast lift in Switzerland
• Breast ptosis in Switzerland
• Breast augmentation in Switzerland
• Breast reduction in Switzerland
• Breast fat transfer in Switzerland
• Breast implant replacement in Switzerland
• Cosmetic hip implants in Switzerland

Our guides

• Breast surgery guide for Switzerland
• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

Answers to the most frequent questions about breast health and surgery in Switzerland.

Development and change

At what age do breasts start to grow? Generally between eight and thirteen. The first sign is a small bud under the areola, sometimes on one side only and tender. Full development takes several years and is often complete by around sixteen to eighteen.

Is it normal for one breast to grow before the other? Yes, it is very common. Development is often asymmetrical at the start of puberty, and the breasts largely even out over time. A slight asymmetry persists in most adult women.

Until what age do breasts grow? The main growth ends in late adolescence, but volume continues to vary with weight, hormonal contraception, pregnancy and menopause throughout life.

Why do my breasts change size during my cycle? Before a period, hormones cause the gland to retain a little water as it prepares for a possible pregnancy. The breasts are then larger and more tender. They return to their usual state after the period.

Do breasts change with weight? Yes. A large part of the breast is made of fat; weight gain increases volume, weight loss reduces it. Repeated fluctuations stretch the skin and encourage the breasts to descend.

Why do my breasts sag with age? The skin loses elasticity, the supporting ligaments slacken and the gland is replaced by softer fat. Pregnancies, weight changes, smoking and genetics speed up this process.

Does pregnancy change the breasts permanently? Often, yes. After pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts may be smaller, softer or lower than before, with larger areolas. These changes vary greatly from one woman to another.

Can areolas change colour? Yes, they darken during pregnancy and sometimes with hormonal contraception. They may lighten partly after breastfeeding. A recent, localised change in appearance, with persistent redness or flaking, must be examined.

Health and symptoms

How do I examine my breasts? Once a month, ideally the week after your period, look at your breasts in a mirror, then feel them lying down with the pads of your fingers, in small circles, covering the whole breast and the armpit. The aim is to know their usual appearance so that you can spot any change.

I have found a lump in my breast: what should I do? See your doctor or gynaecologist within the next few days. Most lumps are benign, especially in young women, but only an examination, often supplemented by an ultrasound, can confirm this.

Is a painful lump reassuring? Painful lumps are often cysts or changes linked to the cycle, but pain does not rule out a malignant lesion. Any new lump, painful or not, must be examined.

My breasts hurt before my period: is it serious? No, it is very common and linked to hormones. A well-fitting bra, reducing caffeine and simple painkillers often help. Seek advice if the pain is localised, persistent or very troublesome.

What is a breast cyst? It is a small pocket of fluid in the gland, common between thirty-five and fifty-five. It is benign, can appear and disappear quickly, and is confirmed by ultrasound. It can be drained if it is bothersome.

What is a fibroadenoma? It is a common benign tumour in young women, a firm, smooth, mobile lump. It is monitored and removed only if it grows, causes discomfort or has unusual features.

Is nipple discharge worrying? Discharge produced by squeezing, clear or milky, from both sides, is usually benign. Spontaneous, bloody or single-duct discharge must be investigated promptly with imaging.

Why do I have milky discharge when I am not breastfeeding? It may be linked to a hormone, prolactin, certain medicines or repeated stimulation of the breasts. A blood test and sometimes imaging can find the cause.

What is mastitis? It is inflammation of the breast, mainly during breastfeeding: the breast is red, hot and painful, often with fever. Seek advice the same day; treatment combines continuing to breastfeed or express milk, rest and often antibiotics.

Should breast redness without fever be worrying? Persistent redness, especially with thickening of the skin and no rapid improvement, must be examined without delay, as it may indicate lasting inflammation or, more rarely, inflammatory breast cancer.

Are lymph nodes under the armpit worrying? Lymph nodes can swell temporarily with an infection, a vaccination or a small wound. A hard node that persists for more than a few weeks or grows must be examined.

What does it mean to have dense breasts? Dense breasts contain more gland tissue than fat. This is common, especially in young women. They make mammograms harder to interpret and slightly increase the risk of cancer; an additional ultrasound is sometimes offered.

Is an inverted nipple normal? If it has always been inverted, it is a common, harmless variation. If it has recently pulled in, seek advice promptly, as it may indicate an underlying lesion.

Is hair around the areola normal? Yes, a few hairs around the areola are common and linked to hormones. They can be removed with tweezers or by laser hair removal. Hair growth that increases suddenly along with other signs justifies medical advice.

Breast cancer and screening

Is breast cancer common in Switzerland? It is the most common cancer in women: more than six thousand women are diagnosed every year, and about one woman in eight will be affected during her lifetime. Most recover, especially when it is found early.

From what age should I have a mammogram? For women with no particular risk, screening is recommended every two years from the age of fifty, generally up to seventy-four. Women at high risk receive earlier follow-up, defined with a specialist.

How does organised screening work? In cantons with a programme, women receive a personal invitation every two years. The mammogram is performed at an approved centre, read by two radiologists, and covered without the deductible (franchise), with only the co-payment (quote-part) to pay.

Does my canton have a screening programme? The French-speaking cantons and Ticino have organised programmes, as do several German-speaking cantons. Ask your doctor or your canton's cancer league, as provision is changing.

Is a mammogram painful? Compression of the breast lasts a few seconds and can be uncomfortable, especially before a period. It is necessary to obtain a good-quality image with a minimal radiation dose. Having it the week after your period makes it more comfortable.

Is a mammogram dangerous? The radiation dose is very low. In women aged fifty to seventy-four, the benefit of screening far outweighs this theoretical risk. Screening also has drawbacks, such as false alarms; these are explained by the programmes.

What happens if the mammogram shows an abnormality? Further tests are offered: additional views, ultrasound, sometimes a biopsy. The vast majority of these abnormalities turn out to be benign. The wait for results is often short.

What is a breast biopsy? It is the removal of a small fragment of tissue, under local anaesthesia, guided by ultrasound or mammography. It allows a definite diagnosis. It is not very painful and rarely leaves a mark.

Does my family history increase my risk? Yes, especially if several relatives have been affected, at a young age, or if there is ovarian cancer or male breast cancer in the family. Talk to your doctor, who may suggest a genetic counselling consultation.

What is a BRCA mutation? These are alterations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes that greatly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. They run in families. A genetic test can look for them, with specialist support.

Does alcohol increase the risk of breast cancer? Yes, even in moderate amounts, the risk increases with the quantity consumed. Limiting alcohol is one of the measures that reduce risk.

Does sport protect against breast cancer? Regular physical activity is associated with a moderate reduction in risk, particularly after menopause, and also improves the outlook for women who have been treated.

Do implants interfere with screening? No, mammography remains possible with an adapted technique that displaces the implant. Mention your implants to the radiology centre; an ultrasound often complements the examination.

Where should I be treated if I have breast cancer? Preferably at a breast centre, which brings together all the specialists and discusses each case as a team. University and cantonal hospitals have one, and several centres are certified according to quality criteria.

Where can I find support if I have breast cancer? The cantonal cancer leagues offer information, practical advice and a listening ear, as well as a free helpline. Breast centres have specialist nurses and psychologists. Patient groups exist in many towns.

Tests and results

When is an ultrasound preferable to a mammogram? Before forty, ultrasound is often the first-line test for investigating a lump, as the gland is denser. After forty, mammography is generally combined with ultrasound. The doctor chooses according to age and the question being asked.

What is breast MRI used for? It is used to screen women at very high risk, to assess the extent of a cancer before surgery, to check the condition of implants or to resolve a difficult image. It is not a screening test for all women.

How do I read a mammogram report? It describes breast density and any abnormalities, then classifies them on a scale ranging from normal to highly suspicious. This classification indicates what should be done next. Ask your doctor to explain it to you.

What does a probably benign image mean? It is an abnormality with a very low risk of being cancer. Close monitoring is generally offered, for example a check-up at six months, rather than an immediate biopsy.

How long does it take to get biopsy results? Generally a few days to a week. Ask the doctor how long it will take and how you will be given the result, ideally at a consultation.

Can a biopsy spread cancer? No, this is a misconception. Current biopsy techniques are safe and essential for diagnosis.

Should I keep my old mammograms? Yes, or make sure they are accessible. Comparison with previous examinations is essential for interpreting an image; bring them to a new examination, especially if you change centre.

Can I have a mammogram while pregnant? If symptoms occur during pregnancy, ultrasound is the first-line test. A mammogram is possible if necessary, with abdominal shielding; the dose received by the baby is very low.

Can implants distort an ultrasound? No, ultrasound is in fact very useful in women with implants, to examine both the gland and the implant. Mention your implants to the radiologist.

Is screening needed before fifty? Without a particular risk, routine screening is not recommended before fifty. However, any symptom must be investigated, whatever your age, and women at high risk have adapted follow-up.

Should screening continue after seventy-four? Beyond that age, the decision is made with the doctor according to the woman's health and wishes. Organised programmes generally stop at seventy-four, but an examination remains possible on prescription.

Practical questions

How long does a mammogram take? The examination itself takes a few minutes; allow fifteen to thirty minutes at the centre. Come without deodorant or cream on your breasts and armpits, which can create artefacts on the image.

Can I have a mammogram during my period? Yes, but the examination is often more comfortable the week after your period, when the breasts are less tender.

What should I wear for a mammogram? A separate top and bottom, so that you only need to remove your top. Avoid deodorant, talc, cream and perfume on your chest and under your arms on the day of the examination.

How do I measure my bra size? Measure snugly around your ribcage under your breasts for the band size, then around your chest at nipple level for the cup. A fitting with a trained sales assistant is ideal, as sizes vary between brands.

How often should I replace my bra? A bra worn regularly loses its elasticity within about a year. Have your size checked after any significant change: pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight change, menopause.

What should I do about irritation under the breasts? Wash and dry the fold carefully, wear cotton underwear, change it often in hot weather and seek advice if the irritation persists, as a fungal infection may need treatment. In women with large breasts, it is common and is one of the problems taken into account for a reduction.

Can I sunbathe topless? Yes, with high sun protection, as the skin of the décolleté and breasts is thin and sensitive. Excessive exposure speeds up ageing of the décolleté skin.

Are nipple piercings a problem? They can cause infections, interfere with breastfeeding by damaging ducts and must be removed for certain examinations or procedures. Mention them to the doctor.

Do chest tattoos interfere with screening? They do not generally interfere with mammography. Some pigments may appear on images or in the lymph nodes; mention them to the radiologist.

Does coffee make the breasts painful? In some women, reducing caffeine lessens cyclical breast pain, although studies are contradictory. It is worth trying.

Can the pill make the breasts bigger? In some women, a slight increase in volume and tension appears, especially in the first few months. If the discomfort persists, another form of contraception can be discussed.

Should I worry about breasts of different sizes while breastfeeding? No, it is common: the baby often prefers one side, which then produces more milk. The asymmetry generally decreases after weaning.

When should I seek urgent advice? The same day for a red, hot, painful breast with fever, particularly while breastfeeding. Within the next few days for a new lump, a change in the skin or nipple, bloody discharge or a hard lymph node.

Can I do sport with painful breasts? Yes, with a suitable sports bra, which often reduces pain linked to movement. If the pain is localised and persistent, seek advice.

Can the breasts be painful after a knock? Yes, a knock can cause a bruise or, later, a small hard area of fat necrosis. If a lump persists for several weeks after a knock, have it examined.

Should I tell the occupational doctor about a breast problem? No, you have no obligation to specify the nature of a health problem to your employer. A medical certificate is enough if you are absent.

Are the breasts covered by supplementary insurance? Some supplementary policies cover services not covered by basic insurance, such as certain examinations outside the programme or choice of facility. Cosmetic surgery is rarely covered. Read your policy terms.

Can I ask for a second opinion on a result? Yes, it is your right. For an abnormality or a diagnosis, a second opinion, in particular a second reading of the images or samples, can be requested, especially before a major treatment decision.

Where can I find a suitable lingerie shop? Shops specialising in larger-size or post-operative lingerie, found in most Swiss towns, offer personalised advice. Breast centres can recommend addresses for external prostheses after a mastectomy.

Should trans women's breasts be screened? Trans women on hormone therapy develop breast tissue and have a risk of breast cancer that is lower than that of cisgender women but real. Screening may be offered depending on age and the length of treatment; talk to your doctor.

What if I am afraid to seek advice? This is a common reaction. Having someone with you, talking to your family doctor first or calling the cancer league's helpline can help. Seeking advice promptly means that, in the vast majority of cases, you will be reassured.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause

Why are my breasts painful in early pregnancy? Pregnancy hormones stimulate the gland from the first few weeks, making the breasts more sensitive and heavier. It is often one of the first signs of pregnancy.

Should I prepare my breasts for breastfeeding? No particular preparation is needed. A comfortable bra and information about breastfeeding from a midwife are enough. Inverted nipples do not always prevent breastfeeding; talk to the midwife.

How can I avoid cracked nipples? Correct positioning of the baby at the breast is key: mouth wide open, taking in a large part of the areola. A midwife or lactation consultant can help you from the first few days.

What should I do about engorgement? Feed the baby frequently, apply warmth before feeds and cold afterwards, and massage gently. If a breast becomes red and fever appears, seek advice the same day.

Does breastfeeding protect against breast cancer? Yes, it is associated with a moderate reduction in risk, all the more so the longer the total duration over a lifetime.

Will my breasts regain their shape after breastfeeding? They generally stabilise a few months after weaning, but often with a different volume and shape from before pregnancy. If the change bothers you, solutions exist, to be considered once the breasts have stabilised.

Do the breasts change at menopause? Yes, the gland decreases and is replaced by fat; the breasts become softer, often less dense, and tend to descend. Cyclical pain generally disappears.

Is menopausal hormone therapy dangerous for the breasts? It slightly increases the risk of breast cancer, especially if it is prolonged and combines oestrogen and progestogen. This risk must be weighed against its benefits for symptoms. The decision is made with the doctor.

Does the pill increase the risk of breast cancer? The risk is slightly and temporarily increased while taking it, then returns to the usual level after stopping. For most women, the benefits of contraception outweigh this risk.

Bras, sport and daily life

How do I know if my bra is the right size? The band should stay horizontal without riding up at the back, the cups should hold the breast without compressing it or gaping, the underwire should sit in the fold without pressing on the gland, and the straps should not dig into the shoulders.

Should I sleep in a bra? It is not necessary, and it has not been shown to stop the breasts from sagging. Some women with large or painful breasts feel better with a light bra at night.

Are underwired bras dangerous? No, no link has been established with breast cancer or other diseases. A poorly fitting underwire can simply be uncomfortable.

Do I need a sports bra for exercise? Yes, especially for running and high-impact sports. A suitable sports bra greatly reduces breast movement and pain, and limits stretching of the supporting tissues.

Can weight training firm the breasts? It strengthens the pectoral muscles under the breasts, which can slightly improve their appearance, but it does not change the gland or the skin. It does not correct ptosis.

Are firming creams effective? They moisturise the skin but have no proven effect on the firmness or shape of the breasts. Sun protection for the décolleté better protects skin quality.

Does smoking affect the breasts? Yes, it damages the elastic fibres of the skin and encourages sagging, increases inflammation around the areola and complicates healing in the event of surgery.

Men

Why do a man's breasts grow? It may be gynaecomastia, development of the gland, which is common at puberty and after sixty, or linked to medicines, anabolic steroids or illness. It may also be simply excess fat. A doctor can tell the difference.

Does adolescent gynaecomastia go away? In most cases, yes, within one to two years. If it persists beyond the end of puberty and is bothersome, surgical correction can be considered.

Can men get breast cancer? Yes, although it is rare, about one per cent of breast cancers. A hard lump under the areola, discharge or nipple retraction require medical attention, especially with a family history.

Can anabolic steroids make the breasts grow? Yes. Some performance-enhancing products are converted into oestrogen in the body and cause gynaecomastia, sometimes lasting. Stopping the products and a medical assessment are necessary.

Shape, volume and surgery

My breasts are asymmetrical: is that a problem? Asymmetry is normal in most women. When it is significant and bothersome, solutions exist, from suitable lingerie to surgery. An asymmetry that has appeared recently, however, must be examined.

My breasts are too heavy: what can I do? A suitable bra, physiotherapy and possibly weight loss can provide relief. If the pain persists, breast reduction can be considered, and covered by insurance when the problems are documented.

My breasts have emptied after breastfeeding: what are the solutions? Depending on the degree of descent and volume loss, augmentation with implants or fat transfer, a lift or both may be offered, once the breasts have stabilised. A plastic surgeon assesses the best option.

Can tuberous breasts be corrected? Yes. This developmental malformation is corrected by reshaping the gland, lowering the fold, reducing the areola and adding volume. Coverage may be discussed for marked forms.

Does cosmetic breast surgery prevent breastfeeding? Not necessarily. Breastfeeding is often possible after an augmentation, and sometimes partially after a reduction or lift. Discuss it before the procedure if it is important to you.

Where can I find more information about breast surgery? Our breast surgery guide presents all the procedures, and our dedicated pages cover augmentation, lift, reduction, fat transfer, ptosis correction and implant replacement in detail.

Where to consult in Switzerland

Whom should I see about a breast lump? Your family doctor or gynaecologist, who will examine you and, if necessary, prescribe an ultrasound or mammogram. If a lesion is suspicious, they will refer you to a breast centre.

What is a breast centre? It is a multidisciplinary unit that brings together radiologists, surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists, pathologists, plastic surgeons and specialist nurses. Cases are discussed as a team, which guarantees coordinated care.

Can I consult in French in German-speaking Switzerland? In the major cities, many doctors see patients in French or English. Mention this when booking. Interpreters can also be requested in hospitals.

Do I need a prescription for a mammogram? As part of a cantonal programme, the invitation is enough. Otherwise, the mammogram is prescribed by your doctor, particularly if you have a symptom or a particular risk.

Can Medespoir guide me? Yes. Describe your situation in a few lines. We will direct you to the right contact — gynaecologist, breast centre or plastic surgeon — in your region and your language. Free and confidential.

Describe your situation in a few lines. A specialist will direct you to the right contact — gynaecologist, breast centre or plastic surgeon — near you. Free and confidential.