According to the NIH’s National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer and accounts for approximately 30% of all new cancer cases in women. It is estimated that 316,950 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025, and 42,170 women will lose their lives to the disease.

When cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, they form a tumor that can either be cancerous or non-cancerous, i.e. malignant or benign respectively. To understand where these cancers begin, it helps to know the structure of the breast. Each breast is made up of fifteen to twenty lobes, and each lobe consists of smaller sections called lobules, which end in dozens of tiny bulbs. The lobes, lobules and bulbs are linked by thin tubes called ducts.

Ductal carcinoma, which begins in the ducts, is the most common form of breast cancer, comprising 70% to 80% of diagnoses. Lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobes or lobules, accounts for 10% to 15% of diagnoses, and it is more frequently found in both breasts than other types of breast cancer.

Various factors can increase or decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer. Anything that increases your chance of developing a disease is known as a risk factor, and anything that decreases your chance of developing a disease is known as a protective factor.

The following risk factors may increase the risk of breast cancer:

• Age: Besides being a woman, age is the main risk factor for breast cancer. The likelihood of developing the disease increases over time—a 30-year-old woman has about a 1 in 175 chance of being diagnosed within the next 10 years, while for a 70-year-old woman, that risk rises to 1 in 9.
• A personal history of breast cancer or benign breast disease: Women with a personal history of invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or benign breast disease have an increased risk of breast cancer.
• An inherited risk of breast cancer: Women who have a first-degree relative—such as a mother, sister or daughter—with breast cancer are at higher risk themselves. Additionally, some women inherit changes in genes like BRCA1 or BRCA2, which can significantly increase their likelihood of developing breast cancer. The level of risk depends on the specific gene mutation, the family’s cancer history and other contributing factors.
• Dense breast tissue: Women with dense breast tissue, as seen on a mammogram, have a higher risk, and that risk increases with the level of density. Dense breast tissue is often inherited, but it can also be seen more commonly in women who have not had children, had their first pregnancy later in life, use hormone therapy after menopause or consume alcohol.
• A history resulting in greater exposure to estrogen: Long-term exposure to the hormone estrogen can increase breast cancer risk. Estrogen levels are highest during the years a woman menstruates, so anything that extends that exposure may raise risk. This includes beginning periods before age 12, reaching menopause later in life and having a first child after age 35 or never having given birth, since pregnancy reduces the total number of menstrual cycles. More years of menstrual cycles mean more years of estrogen exposure, which can contribute to risk over time.
• Hormone therapy for menopause symptoms: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also called menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), can affect breast cancer risk. These therapies use lab-made forms of estrogen or progestin to replace hormones no longer produced after menopause or ovary removal.
• Radiation therapy to the breast or chest: Radiation exposure to the chest can increase breast cancer risk, especially when given at a young age. The risk begins to rise about 10 years after treatment and is higher with larger radiation doses and when exposure occurs during puberty, when breast tissue is still developing.
• Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal women who have not used hormone therapy.
• Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. The level of risk rises as the amount of alcohol consumed rises.

Understanding risk factors is only one piece as regular screening and early detection make a difference. Women between the ages of 50 and 69 who receive routine mammograms have a lower risk of dying from breast cancer compared to those who do not, as mammography detects cancer earlier, when treatment is most effective.

Women ages 45 to 54 are advised to have a mammogram every year, although screening can begin earlier—between ages 40 and 44—for those with a family history or increased risk. Starting at age 55, women may switch to screening every other year, while those at high risk should receive both a breast MRI and a mammogram every year beginning at age 30.

“When caught early, breast cancer has over a 90% five-year survival rate,” said Privette Vinnedge, PhD, associate member of the Signaling Networks & Metabolic Pathways Research Program at the Cancer Center. “That’s why it’s so important to have mammograms and to perform self-exams. According to the American Cancer Society, mammograms and improved treatment options have led to a 44% drop in the rate of breast cancer-related deaths in the past 35 years, underscoring why early detection is so important.”

Lisa M. Privette Vinnedge, PhD  Associate Member, Signaling Networks & Metabolic Pathways Research Program University of Cincinnati Cancer Center Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Mammograms use low-dose X-rays to capture images of the breast, while a breast MRI provides highly detailed imaging that can reveal abnormalities not always visible on a mammogram. Ultrasound may be used to evaluate dense breast tissue or to further assess findings from a mammogram or physical symptoms. In addition to imaging, a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) is a hands-on exam performed by a healthcare provider, and individuals are encouraged to perform a Self-Breast Exam (SBE) monthly to become familiar with their own breast tissue.

All women should have access to breast cancer screenings for early detection, and Ohio House Bill 371 (HB 371) is a significant step forward. Passed in 2022, HB 371 expands access to breast cancer screenings by extending insurance and Medicaid coverage for one yearly mammogram for women of any age or risk factor. The bill also includes coverage for supplemental screenings for women with dense breasts or a genetic/family history of breast cancer and updates dense breast notification letters to include information on these options.

Additionally, women in Ohio who are uninsured or underinsured can reach out to the Ohio Breast & Cervical Cancer Project, which helps individuals connect with healthcare providers, access resources and navigate the healthcare system. The program also offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services for those who qualify.

Women in Kentucky may contact the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program, which provides no-cost or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to eligible participants. In addition, the Kentucky Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program helps ensure that women diagnosed through screening have access to the care they need.

To schedule a screening or view the mobile mammography van schedule, call 513-584-PINK or visit the website. 

Led by Megan Johnstone, PhD in collaboration with Susanne Wells, PhD, Nathan Salomonis, PhD and Lisa Privette Vinnedge, PhD, the DEK Promotes Mammary Hyperplasia and is Associated with H3K27me3 Epigenetic Modifications study focused on understanding the DEK protein’s role in mammary glands.

“We started this project to understand why over 85% of stage 2 and higher breast cancers, including ER+ and triple-negative types, have high levels of the DEK protein,” said Privette Vinnedge. “We had previously shown that DEK promotes cancer growth and spread in already cancerous cells, but its role in the normal mammary gland was unknown.”

Megan E. Johnstone, PhD  Clinical Research Director, Department of Internal Medicine University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Susanne Wells, PhD  Member, Pediatrics Research Program University of Cincinnati Cancer Center Director, Epithelial Carcinogenesis and Stem Cell Program Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Nathan Salomonis, PhD  Member, Signaling Networks & Metabolic Pathways Research Program University of Cincinnati Cancer Center Researcher, Division of Biomedical Informatics Cincinnati Children's Hospital

DEK is a common chromatin-associated protein that plays a key role in structuring DNA. As a proto-oncogene, it has the potential to become an oncogene when overexpressed, promoting uncontrolled cell proliferation, preventing cells from maturing normally and affecting important cellular processes such as DNA repair. To study DEK’s role in the normal mammary gland, the team created two new, genetically engineered mouse models.

“We found that the mammary gland needs just the right amount of DEK—too much leads to hyperplasia, the overgrowth of tissue, which increases the risk of breast cancer, while too little prevent proper mammary development during pregnancy, causing a low milk supply,” Privette Vinnedge explained. “We discovered that DEK works partly by controlling how DNA is packaged in the cell through epigenetic mechanisms, which affects the expression of many other genes. This suggests that breast cancers may need high DEK levels to support the rapid cell growth required for tumor development.”

Importantly, the team found that treating cells with palbociclib—an FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitor—or GSK-126—an EZH2 inhibitor in clinical trials—reversed the excessive cell growth caused by DEK overexpression. These findings could help guide personalized treatment, identifying which breast cancers may respond best to these drugs.

“This research sets the stage for two future directions,” said Privette Vinnedge. “First, we will continue to explore how DEK contributes to breast cancer and whether its levels can predict response or resistance to therapies. Second, we will investigate whether loss of DEK may contribute to low milk supply during breastfeeding. This work highlights how studying the basic biology of normal tissue can provide important insights into cancer development and progression.”

Building on her recent collaborative research into DEK and its role in breast cancer, Dr. Privette Vinnedge has also dedicated her career to mentoring the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians.

“While I am proud of the research findings my lab and my team have accomplished, I am most proud of the people I have trained and mentored over the past 20 years,” she shared. “Seeing these students and trainees grow into confident, skilled researchers and oncologists, ready to make their own impact on the field, is incredibly rewarding.”

In the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s ten-county catchment area, breast cancer is the most common cancer. While the screening rates in the area have improved in the last year and are now close to the national average, incidence rates indicate there is still work to do. Recognizing the need for education and outreach, the Cancer Center is working to better address this challenge in the catchment area and reduce the overall burden of breast cancer.

On Saturday, September 6^th, the Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach & Engagement participated in the 2025 Kentucky Dragon Boat Festival™. Presented by Paddling for Cancer Awareness, Inc. and hosted by the Kentucky Thorough-Breasts Dragon Boat Racing Team, the festival has been a family-friendly staple in Northern Kentucky since 2010, attracting thousands of participants and spectators from local, national and international teams. The festival offers a fun-filled day of dragon boat racing, camaraderie and community engagement, while also raising funds for cancer organizations, individuals, and patients. Each year, the event raises over $10,000 in donations, supporting those affected by cancer and celebrating the resilience of the community. Attending health and wellness educators, including the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement, provided educational materials, survivorship resources and information on dense breast tissue, early cancer detection and healthy lifestyle practices.

In partnership with Paddling for Cancer Awareness, Inc., the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement attended Paint the Square Pink hosted by the American Cancer Society (ACS) on Wednesday, October 1^st. Paint the Square Pink is an annual event that aims to provide a supportive community event for breast cancer survivors, patients, families, friends and caregivers while also bringing awareness to help create a world free of breast cancer. The event brings together numerous community partners, local healthcare organizations, nonprofits, sponsors and more to provide attendees the opportunity to enjoy live music and local food trucks while visiting community partner tents providing educational materials surrounding healthy eating, active living and tips for prevention and early detection.

In collaboration with UC Health, the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement also participated in the State of Cancer Caucus and Expo hosted by the 513Relief Bus and led by Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reese on Wednesday, October 15^th. The event began with a State of Cancer Caucus, which included a presentation by Melinda Butsch Kovacic, PhD, MPH, the Associate Director of the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement, focused on sharing the latest regional statistics and trends as well as a panel discussion with several other leading experts, including Elizabeth Shaughnessy, MD, PhD. Following the caucus, various community organizations united to host a health fair where attendees could access resources and lifesaving information, receive valuable health screenings and more from cancer-related organizations representing the Greater Cincinnati area.

Melinda Butsch Kovacic, PhD, MPH  Associate Director, Community Outreach & Engagement University of Cincinnati Cancer Center Associate Dean of Research University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences

Elizabeth Shaughnessy, MD, PhD  Member, Cancer Risk, Prevention and Surveillance Research Program University of Cincinnati Cancer Center Professor, Department of Surgery University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

On Saturday, October 18^th, the American Cancer Society hosted the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. Making Strides is the nation’s largest and most impactful breast cancer movement, uniting survivors, families, and supporters to celebrate courage, inspire hope, and raise critical funds for research and support programs—working toward a future where everyone has the chance to live a longer, healthier life free from breast cancer. The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement hosted an informational booth at Making Strides, welcoming attendees with a variety of swag items, educational materials and survivorship resources. Staff members engaged with community members, answered questions and shared information about cancer prevention, early detection and support services available through the Cancer Center. Using hands-on breast models, attendees practiced identifying dense tissue versus cancerous lumps through self-examination techniques. The booth served as a space for survivors, caregivers and supporters to connect, access helpful materials and learn more about ongoing initiatives aimed at improving cancer outcomes in our community.