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Identifying the Signs of Breast Cancer |
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by:Anne Wolski |
Copyright 2005 Anne Wolski
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and the
leading cause of cancer deaths.
Every woman's breasts are different so it is important for each
individual woman to be familiar with her breasts in order to recognize
any peculiarities.
Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer may not have any
symptoms. This is why it is important to follow screening
recommendations. As a tumor grows in size, it can produce a variety of
symptoms including:
* lump or thickening in the breast or underarm * change in size or
shape of the breast * nipple discharge or nipple turning inward *
redness or scaling of the skin or nipple * ridges or pitting of the
breast skin
If you experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have
breast cancer, but you need to be examined by a doctor.
Breast cancer is very rare before age 20 and is rarely diagnosed in
women younger than age 25. Past that age, the incidence rises steadily
to reach a peak around the age of menopause. The rate of increase is
lessened after menopause, but older women are still at increasing risk
over time.
Although a specific cause for breast cancer has not been identified,
there are risk factors that increase the likelihood that a woman will
develop a breast cancer. These risks include:
* Maternal relative with breast cancer. * Women who start their
menstruation early and/or go into early menopause, increasing the
length of reproductive years, are at greater risk. * Obesity. Women who
are overweight are at increased risk * Women who have never had
children are at greater risk. * Women who had their first child over
age 30 are at greater risk. * Previous breast cancer. * Previous
endometrial cancer.
Aside from the genetic predisposition, the common factor in many of
these risks is increased endogenous estrogen exposure over a long time.
It is recommended that women over 35 check their breasts monthly.
However, it is also important that all women do regular breast checks.
Your doctor can show you how to effectively check your breasts. Any
lump, regardless of size, should be reported to your doctor. Many of
these lumps are simply fatty lumps or cysts but it is far better to be
safe than sorry.
Catching breast cancer early makes a big difference in the type of
treatment needed as well as the overall prognosis.
About the author:
Anne Wolski has worked within the health and welfare industry for more
than 30 years. To see many great health-related resources, go to http://www.magnetic-health-online.com
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