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Breast Cancer Symptoms, Facts, Statistics
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Published: February 19, 2007
Alone in the small room at the doctors wearing a paper gown, a woman sits on the edge of the examining table. Thoughts of work and the hundreds of things she had to do fill her head. She thinks of her family, bringing a smile to her face and then she remembers why she is there.
She found one of the most common breast cancer symptoms: a lump in her breast.
Fear, questions, and doubt can be overwhelming for someone who is diagnosed or thinks they may have breast cancer symptoms. It is one of the second most common cancers a woman can face. According to the Dr. Chan, author of Breast Cancer: Real Questions Real Answers, in the United States 275,000 new breast cancer diagnosis's are made each year. According to expert breast cancer statistics provided by the National Breast Cancer Association, one out of eight woman who live to full life expectancy (age 85 and up) will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Breast cancer facts are not all bad. Through the years breakthroughs in treatment have been made. Most women are able to combat the disease especially if the breast cancer is found early. Breast cancer is categorized in four stages, with Stage I being the earliest and Stage IV being the latest. Although the breast cancer statistics lower in each higher stage, one of the most uplifting breast cancer facts is that over 2 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today.
The best way to spot early detection is by being aware of breast cancer symptoms.Breast cancer symptoms are commonly a lump or knot found in or around the breast tissue and armpit area. However, most breast cancer symptoms are very subtle. Common breast cancer symptoms include any changes in the breast and armpit area like thickened skin, a shift in the size or shape of the breast, dimples, rash, scaling, or other changes in the skin of the breast.
Breast cancer symptoms can also include a change in the color or feel of the skin around the nipple, a variation in the nipple, such as it turned in, or discharge. Most breast cancer symptoms may not occur until the cancer has already advanced. Breast cancer is commonly found on a mammogram test before a lump develops into one large enough to feel. According to Dr. Chan's breast cancer facts, eight out of ten breast lumps are not cancerous.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a specific type of breast cancer that affects the skin of the breast. Although this type of breast cancer is rare, it spreads quickly. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, IBC occurs when breast cancer cells form "nests" and block the lymphatic drainage from the skin of the breast. These breast cancer symptoms include redness, tenderness, and warmth. The skin of the breast commonly thickens and can have an orange-peel like appearance and ridging of the skin. Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms include rapid breast enlargement and a possible development of a lump.
The chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer are very low for woman in their twenties. The risk increases with age. Between the ages of forty and fifty the risk tends to level, but increases dramatically after the age of fifty. Half of the breast cancer diagnosed is in women over the age of sixty-five. With woman over fifty at such a high risk of breast cancer, it is essential to get yearly mammogram screenings and to monitor for breast cancer symptoms.
Self breast exams should be done every month. It is recommended that women perform a self-exam around their menstruation period, so it is easier to remember when to do one. The most common of the breast cancer symptoms is finding a lump in the breast tissue. According to the National Breast Cancer Association, the breast cancer statistics state that 70 percent of all breast cancers are found through detection of breast cancer symptoms through self-exams.
Of course not all lumps can be found by touch, but it is a relief to know that even though breast cancer is a possibility, there is something that can be done about it. The best way to spot early detection is by being aware of breast cancer symptoms and consulting a physician. The woman who is scared sitting in the doctor's office is in the best place she could be.
Sources:
American Cancer Society's Guide for the Early Detection of Cancer. 2001.
"Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms." National Breast Cancer Foundation. 1991-2007. National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. 7 Feb. 2007 <http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/signs_and_ symptoms/index.html>.
"Breast Cancer Symptoms." Web MD. 17 Nov. 2005. Web MD Inc. 7 Feb. 2007 <http://www.webmd.com/hw/breast_cancer/tv3621.a sp>.
Chan, M.d, David. Breast Cancer: Real Questions, Real Answers. New York: Msrlow & Company, 2006.
Grobstein, M.d., Ph.D., Ruth H. The Breast Cancer Book. New Haven & London: Yale UP, 2005.
Mammography Today. FDA: Department of Health and Human Services.
Fear, questions, and doubt can be overwhelming for someone who is diagnosed or thinks they may have breast cancer symptoms. It is one of the second most common cancers a woman can face. According to the Dr. Chan, author of Breast Cancer: Real Questions Real Answers, in the United States 275,000 new breast cancer diagnosis's are made each year. According to expert breast cancer statistics provided by the National Breast Cancer Association, one out of eight woman who live to full life expectancy (age 85 and up) will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Breast cancer facts are not all bad. Through the years breakthroughs in treatment have been made. Most women are able to combat the disease especially if the breast cancer is found early. Breast cancer is categorized in four stages, with Stage I being the earliest and Stage IV being the latest. Although the breast cancer statistics lower in each higher stage, one of the most uplifting breast cancer facts is that over 2 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today.
The best way to spot early detection is by being aware of breast cancer symptoms.Breast cancer symptoms are commonly a lump or knot found in or around the breast tissue and armpit area. However, most breast cancer symptoms are very subtle. Common breast cancer symptoms include any changes in the breast and armpit area like thickened skin, a shift in the size or shape of the breast, dimples, rash, scaling, or other changes in the skin of the breast.
Breast cancer symptoms can also include a change in the color or feel of the skin around the nipple, a variation in the nipple, such as it turned in, or discharge. Most breast cancer symptoms may not occur until the cancer has already advanced. Breast cancer is commonly found on a mammogram test before a lump develops into one large enough to feel. According to Dr. Chan's breast cancer facts, eight out of ten breast lumps are not cancerous.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a specific type of breast cancer that affects the skin of the breast. Although this type of breast cancer is rare, it spreads quickly. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, IBC occurs when breast cancer cells form "nests" and block the lymphatic drainage from the skin of the breast. These breast cancer symptoms include redness, tenderness, and warmth. The skin of the breast commonly thickens and can have an orange-peel like appearance and ridging of the skin. Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms include rapid breast enlargement and a possible development of a lump.
The chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer are very low for woman in their twenties. The risk increases with age. Between the ages of forty and fifty the risk tends to level, but increases dramatically after the age of fifty. Half of the breast cancer diagnosed is in women over the age of sixty-five. With woman over fifty at such a high risk of breast cancer, it is essential to get yearly mammogram screenings and to monitor for breast cancer symptoms.
Self breast exams should be done every month. It is recommended that women perform a self-exam around their menstruation period, so it is easier to remember when to do one. The most common of the breast cancer symptoms is finding a lump in the breast tissue. According to the National Breast Cancer Association, the breast cancer statistics state that 70 percent of all breast cancers are found through detection of breast cancer symptoms through self-exams.
Of course not all lumps can be found by touch, but it is a relief to know that even though breast cancer is a possibility, there is something that can be done about it. The best way to spot early detection is by being aware of breast cancer symptoms and consulting a physician. The woman who is scared sitting in the doctor's office is in the best place she could be.
Sources:
American Cancer Society's Guide for the Early Detection of Cancer. 2001.
"Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms." National Breast Cancer Foundation. 1991-2007. National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. 7 Feb. 2007 <http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/signs_and_ symptoms/index.html>.
"Breast Cancer Symptoms." Web MD. 17 Nov. 2005. Web MD Inc. 7 Feb. 2007 <http://www.webmd.com/hw/breast_cancer/tv3621.a sp>.
Chan, M.d, David. Breast Cancer: Real Questions, Real Answers. New York: Msrlow & Company, 2006.
Grobstein, M.d., Ph.D., Ruth H. The Breast Cancer Book. New Haven & London: Yale UP, 2005.
Mammography Today. FDA: Department of Health and Human Services.
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