Breast cancer is the most common cancer to affect women. In 2009, it is estimated that there will be approximately 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in the United States, along with 62,280 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. An estimated 40,170 women will die from breast cancer this year. It is estimated that 1,910 men will be diagnosed and 440 men will die of breast cancer during 2009.
One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes, and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States.
Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast tissue divide and grow without the normal control. This type of growth forms a mass or tumor. Cells may be growing out of control before any symptoms of the disease appear. That is why breast screening to find any early changes is so important. The sooner a problem is found, the better a woman’s chances are for survival.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommends that you :
1. Know your risk
Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer
2. Get screened
Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40
3. Know what is normal for you and see your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:
Lump, hard knot or thickening
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn't go away
4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake
While cancer is always caused by a genetic "abnormality" (a "mistake" in the genetic material), only 5–10% of cancers are inherited from your mother or father. Instead, 90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, talk with your doctor about risk assessment, when to start getting mammograms, and how often to have them.
To learn more about breast cancer, risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, click here.
