Breast cancer
Breast cancer is a group of cancers arising in breast tissue. Stage and tumor features, including hormone-receptor and HER2 status, strongly influence treatment; it is not ordinarily a disease treated by replacing the marrow.
Other names and abbreviations
breast carcinoma, mammary cancer, high-risk breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, Carcinoma of the breast, mammary carcinoma
In short
- Breast cancer is a group of cancers that start in breast tissue, and it mostly affects women, becoming more common with age, though men can get it too.
- Treatment depends on stage and tumor features and can include surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, HER2-targeted medicines, immunotherapy or other targeted drugs.
- High-dose chemotherapy with a return of the patient's own stem cells is not routine care, and a transplant from a registry donor is not a standard option.
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Where transplant fits
Very strong drug treatment given in large doses, often to kill cancer cells. It also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other serious side effects. A stem cell transplant usually follows to rebuild the marrow. with Coming from the patient's own body. In an autologous transplant, the patient's own stem cells are collected and stored, then given back after high-dose treatment. It does not use a donor. is not routine breast cancer treatment. Some highly selected settings have been studied, but an overall-survival benefit has not been established across routine care. It uses the patient’s cells, and registry Coming from another person. In an allogeneic, or donor, transplant, the stem cells come from a relative or an unrelated volunteer whose cells are a close enough match to the patient's. is not a standard pathway.
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health.
Key facts
- Who it affects
- Breast cancer primarily affects women and becomes more common with age; men can also develop it.
- Usual treatment
- Treatment can include surgery, radiation, endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, HER2-directed treatment, immunotherapy or other targeted medicines according to subtype and stage.
- Cells used in a transplant
- The patient’s own collected blood-forming cells for autologous stem cell rescue, when that procedure is appropriate.
- Where a donor fits
- Limited transplant role
Support for patients and families
These independent organizations offer information and support. JBF is not affiliated with them.
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer Helpline, online support groups and trusted information for people with breast cancer, including young, Black, LGBTQ+ and male patients.United States
- Breast Cancer Now Specialist nurse helpline, groups, courses, webinars and one-to-one support for anyone affected by breast cancer.United Kingdom
- Breastcancer.org Trusted breast cancer information and an online community where people affected by breast cancer can connect with each other.United States (online, open to all)
Questions to bring to your care team
- What is the exact name of the diagnosis or subtype, and what does it mean for treatment?
- What is the goal of each treatment you are suggesting?
- What would make a transplant worth considering later on?
- Are there clinical trials that might fit?
- Where can our family find support during treatment?
Sources and further reading
- Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ)
NCI, Accessed 2026-09-05 - Indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation and CAR-T: 2025 EBMT practice recommendations
EBMT / Bone Marrow Transplantation, Accessed 2026-09-05 - Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants for Cancer
NCI, Accessed 2026-09-05
Other patients are waiting for a match.
Most people with breast cancer are treated without a registry donor. Many people with other blood cancers and blood disorders need a donor who is a stranger.
Join the registry
JBF points you to the official registry that serves your country. It explains who can join and what donation involves.
Help a family run a drive
If someone you love needs a donor, a registration drive can add many potential donors at once, for them and for others.
Support this work
Gifts to the Jada Bascom Foundation support donor-awareness education like this guide, community outreach, drive planning and referrals to official registries.
