Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tissues of the breast of women and even men. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer a woman may get. Skin cancer is the most common. As a cause of death, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in women. Of women that are diagnosed with cancer, only lung cancer takes more women’s lives. Though breast cancer in men is more rare than in women, many men die each year due to lack of diagnosis of breast cancer.
Breast cancer, when caught early, has a high survivor rate. The symptoms of breast cancer
include the following:
- A change in how the breast or nipple feels
- Nipple tenderness
- A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
- Change in the breast or nipple’s appearance.
- Skin of the breast, areola or nipple may have a scaly, red or swollen appearance or may have ridges or pitting that resembles the skin of an orange
- Nipple discharge
Following an early breast cancer detection plan will increase the chances of early detection, which increases the survival rate. The following breast detection plan should be started at age 20:
- Age 20-perform breast self-exams and look for any signs of change in the breast or nipple. This should be done once a month.
- Age 20 to 39-schedule a clinical breast exam every three years
- By age of 40-have a baseline mammogram and annual clinical breast exam
- Ages 40 to 49-having a mammogram every one to two years based on previous results of mammograms
- Age 50 and over-have a mammogram every year
Women of all ages should do the following to reduce the risks of breast cancer:
- Keep accurate records of personal exams, mammograms and doctors'
appointments on a calendar or in a detailed file - Maintain a healthy weight
- Follow a low-fat diet
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Evaluate the risks of hormone replacement therapy or any other additional hormones (some hormones will feed cancer cells, some cancer treatments even suppress natural production of certain hormones to control breast cancer)
Education is the most effective when it comes to reducing the risks of breast cancer.
