Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women, other than skin cancer. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer.

Breast cancer is:

• The most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women.
• The second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

In 2004, 186,772 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 40,954 women died from the disease.

Men can also get breast cancer. In 2004, 1,815 men were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 362 men died from the disease.

There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast, like the ducts or the glands.

Mammograms

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.

Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you are age 40 years or older, be sure to have a screening mammogram every 1 to 2 years. Talk to your doctor if you have any breast symptoms or changes in your breast, or if breast cancer runs in your family. He or she may recommend that you have mammograms before age 40 or more often than usual.

Ways to Lower Your Risk

• Control your weight and exercise. Make healthy choices in the foods you eat and the kinds of drinks you drink.
• Know your family history of breast cancer. If you have a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer ask your doctor what is your risk of getting breast cancer and how you can lower your risk.
• Find out the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy and find out if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Warning Signs of Breast Cancer

Due to increased use of mammography , most women are diagnosed at very early stages of breast cancer, before symptoms appear. However, not all breast cancer is found through mammography. The most common symptoms of breast cancer are a change in the look or feel of the breast, a change in the look or feel of the nipple and nipple discharge. Other warning signs include:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in the size of 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
  

Source: www.cdc.gov and www.komen.org

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