Early detection can save lives
Look around an office, grocery store, or church. One woman in eight will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 55.
The good news is when breast cancer is detected early, the survival rate is 98 percent.
Early detection through self-exams and mammograms are imperative for survival.
Eight out of 10 breast lumps are not cancerous but all lumps should be checked.
Men also can develop breast cancer. For every 100 women with breast cancer, one male will develop the disease.
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease which means it is a different disease in women of all age groups, and has varied cell populations within the tumor itself.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., 70 percent of all breast cancers are found through self-examinations. Not all lumps are detectable by touch so regular mammograms also are recommended.
Clinical breast examinations every three years are recommended for women 20 to 39 years of age. After age 40, annual exams are recommended.
Monthly self-examinations should begin at age 20. A base line mammogram is recommended for women by age 40.
According to the foundation, women between 40 and 49 years of age should have mammograms every one to two years, depending on previous findings. However, many doctors and medical professionals recommend annual mammograms for women over 40.
Early signs
— A lump is detected which is usually single, firm, and most often painless.
— A portion of the skin on the breast or underarm swells and has an unusual appearance.
— Veins on the skin surface become more prominent on one breast.
— The breast nipple becomes inverted, develops a rash, changes in skin texture, or has a discharge other than breast milk.
— A depression is found in an area of the breast surface.
Women's breasts can develop some degree of lumpiness, but only a small percentage of lumps are malignant.
While a history of breast cancer in the family may lead to increased risk, most breast cancers are diagnosed in women with no family history.
