Breast Cancer

1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, about 178,480 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and about 40,640 women will die from the disease this year. This makes breast cancer the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

Risk Factors

Risk factors that increase risk of breast cancer include:

• Getting older

• Being younger when you first had your menstrual period

• Starting menopause at a later age

• Being older at the birth of your first child

• Never giving birth

• Not breastfeeding

• Personal history of breast cancer or some non-cancerous breast diseases

• Family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, daughter)

• Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest

• Being overweight (increases risk for breast cancer after menopause)

• Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progesterone combined)

• Having changes in the breast cancer-related genes BRCA1 or BRCA2

• Using birth control pills, also called oral contraceptives

• Drinking alcohol (more than one drink a day)

• Not getting regular exercise

Symptoms

Different people have different warning signs for breast cancer. Some people do not have any signs or symptoms at all. A person may find out they have breast cancer after a routine mammogram.

Some warning signs of breast cancer are:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)

• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast

• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin

• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast

• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area

• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood

• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast

• Pain in any area of the breast

Keep in mind that some of these warning signs can happen with other conditions that are not cancer. If you have any signs that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away.

Reducing Your Risk

Early detection of breast cancer is the best protection. This includes a monthly breast self-exam, along with an annual clinical breast examA clinical breast exam is an examination by a doctor or nurse, who uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes. and mammogramA mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. It is the best screening tool widely available to detect breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages..

There are ways you can help lower your risk of breast cancer:

• Control your weight and exercise. Make healthy choices in the foods you eat and the kinds of drinks you have each day. Stay active.

• 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. Some women use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat the symptoms of menopause. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of HRT and find out if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.

• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

• Get screened for breast cancer regularly.