Breast cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women than any other cancer except for lung cancer.  Breast cancer doesn’t play favorites.  Anyone is at risk, even men.  Certain genetic or lifestyle factors can increase your chance of getting this devastating disease.   Hundreds of thousands of women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

If you are over 40 you are more at risk of contracting breast cancer.  Having children after the age of 30 may also increase your risk.  Smoking and drinking alcohol can also up your chances of this condition.  If you have a close family member diagnosed with it, you are also more apt to develop breast cancer.  Scientists have isolated two breast cancer genes, dubbed BRCA1 and BRCA2.  Having these genes present can lead to breast cancer.  You might want to think about genetic testing.  Hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills can also increase your chances of breast cancer.

Breast cancer happens when cells start to grow out of control, eventually spreading through the body via the lymphatic system.  A lump or unusual growth is referred to as a tumor.   If the cells are traveling in the body, this is known as metastases.  Breast cancer is diagnosed less often in women than skin cancer, but can be more dangerous.

Early detection of the cancer can greatly enhance survival chances.  Breast cancer can be divided into invasive or non invasive types.  Non invasive breast cancer hasn’t spread beyond the breast.   Ductal Carcinoma In Dusitu or DCIS is found in the breast ducts and hasn’t spread.  It is detected through mammograms.  IDC, or Invasive Ductal Carcinoma is another common cancer.  It starts out by growing in the milk duct, but it has grown out through the walls and into other breast tissue.  After this point, it can spread rapidly throughout the body.

You need to check both breasts thoroughly every month for lumps.  You should do this following your period.  Try lying down to examine your breasts, or do it in the shower.   You should feel deep beneath the nipple, and all around the breasts and under arms.   Look for dimpling, puckering, or changes in the skin.  Swelling or warmth can also be a cause for cancer.  Have any discharge looked into.  Also get checked if you have burning or itching around the nipples.   An inverted nipple is also a possible sign of breast cancer.  If breast cancer has spread, you may also have other symptoms.  It often turns up in the bones, liver, brain or lungs.  You may feeling aches, or joint pain.

You should also be checked by your doctor every year after you are 40.  You should have annual exams sooner if you have a higher risk of the disease.  Your doctor will usually prescribe a mammogram every year after 40 as well.  This involves x-ray images from several angles through your breast.  Two plates are placed on either side to gently compress your breast to improve the image.

If a lump is found in your breasts, it could very well be benign.  This means it is not cancer, but most likely fibrocystic cysts.  These are scar tissue of fluid filled sacs in the breast.  But a benign growth could be a sign you are at risk of cancer.

If you find a lump you should talk to your doctor as soon as you can.

There are several things you can do to help prevent breast cancer.  Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to higher chances or more serious cases of breast cancer.  A healthy diet and exercise are also important.  You should limit the amount of pollutants, chemical additives, and pesticides you consume.  Cleansers and cosmetics can contain substances linked with breast cancer such as parabens.

Related Posts

• Is There A Difference Between Breast Cancer And Breast Tissue Cancer?
• Can You Have Breast Cancers In Different Areas Of The Body?
• The Most Invasive Common Breast Cancer
• Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Of The Breast?
• The Second Most Common Cancer