Facts:

Among American woman breast cancer is the most common form of cancer (excluding skin cancer), accounting for more than 30% of cancers in women. Only lung cancer causes more deaths among women. The disease is the cause of death, in the US, of approximately 400 men per year.

The number of deaths due to breast cancer could be lowered if every woman at age 40 had an annual mammogram, had a yearly breast exam by a physician, and practiced monthly breast self-examination.

Risk Factors:

• Older than 50;
• Having a personal or family history of breast cancer;
• Never giving birth
• Giving birth for the first time after 30;
• High fat diet;
• History of another type of cancer.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is really a number of diseases caused by the abnormal growth of cells. Normally, cells of body divide and reproduce in an orderly manner, they replace worn out tissue, and repair injured tissue. Occasionally, cells grow out of control, divide more than they should, and form masses know as tumors.

Benign tumors - do not spread to other parts of the body, but may interfere with body functions and require removal. Metastasis - Malignant, or cancerous, tumors - not only invade or destroy normal tissue, but cells break away from the original tumor and migrate to other parts of the body. There they may form additional malignant tumors.

Breast cancer, most often, begins as a painless lump or thickening in the upper outer portion of the breast (but it can occur anywhere in the breast). The cancer may spread to the lump nodes in the armpit (auxiliary lymph nodes) and then to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, bones, and brain.

Signs and Symptoms

• Lump or thickening – that does not go away, and does not seem to change in the way it feels;
• Swelling, puckering, or dimpling, redness or soreness of the skin on the breast;
• Pain or tenderness that lasts throughout the menstrual cycle.

Diagnosis:

The process of diagnosis begins with a complete medical history, physical examination, mammograms, ultra-sounds, and a biopsy.

Treatments:

Several different methods may be used to treat breast cancer. Treatment options are increasing, your physician will assist you, and help you make the decision on the appropriate treatment regime.