Because early detection is a woman's best defense against breast cancer,
About Breast Cancer
The most common malignancy in women is breast cancer. Nationally, about 182,460 women and 1,990 men will develop breast cancer this year. Breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women. When breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is greater than 95 percent.
Risk Factors
• Simply being female is the greatest risk factor
• Women older than 40
• Women older than 35 whose mother or sister has had breast or ovarian cancer or father had prostate cancer
• Women who have never been pregnant or who first become pregnant after age 30
• Women who have had cancer in one breast or atypical ductal hyperplasia (pre-cancer)
• Women who started menstruation before age 12 or menopause at age 55 or older
• Women who are obese with excessive caloric and fat intake
Anything that increases your chance of getting cancer is a risk factor. Anything that decreases your chance of developing cancer is cancer prevention. If you want to self-assess your risk factors, take the free, online Breast Cancer Risk Assessment .
Warning Signs
A change in the feel or look of the breast
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
• A warm sensation in the breast
A change in the feel or look of the nipple
• A retraction of the nipple
• A discharge from the nipple
• A rash on the nipple or areola
• Nipple tenderness, increased sensitivity or pain
Nipple Discharge
• Blood or fluid other than breast milk secreted from the nipple
A change in the feel or look of the skin of the breast, areola or nipple
• Dimpling of the skin on the breast (like the skin of an orange)
• The appearance of irritated, red, scaly or swollen skin on the breast, nipple or areola
Breast pain
• Although breast pain is usually associated with benign breast disease rather than breast cancer, it can be a symptom of either condition
Adapted from the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Breast Self-Exam
Monthly breast self-exams along with mammography at recommended intervals are essential for early detection of breast cancer. Not sure about how to do a breast exam? Refer to the following examination guidelines.
Step One ... in the shower
Stand in the shower and with fingers flat (use the pad of your fingers) move your hand gently over every part of each breast. Check for a lump, knot or thickening. Use right hand for left breast, left hand for right breast.
Step Two ... in front of a mirror
With your hands at your sides, visually check for lumps and depressions. Then, placing your palms on your hips, press down firmly, flex your chest muscles and check again. Don't worry if your breasts don't match.
Step Three ... in front of a mirror
Now raise your arms overhead. Look for changes in the contour of each breast as well as swelling or dimpling of the skin and changes in the nipple.
Step Four ... lying down
To examine your right breast, place a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder and, with elbow bent, lay your right hand on your forehead. Do the same procedure for the other side.
Step Five ... lying down
With fingers flat, use your left hand to press an imaginary clock face on your right breast. Check for lumps or depressions. A ridge of firm tissue in the lower ridge is normal. Move in an inch toward the nipple and make the same circling motion again and again until you reach the center. Repeat with right hand, left breast.
Step Six ... lying down
Gently squeeze the nipple of each breast. Check for any unusual discharge, clear or bloody. Report any lumps, thickening or discharge you discover during this examination to your doctor immediately.
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