Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can also appear in men. In the U.S., it affects one in eight women.
The most common types of breast cancer are:
* ductal carcinoma (85 - 90% of all cases)
* lobular carcinoma (8% of all cases)
Less common are:
* inflammatory breast cancer (occurs in the skin)
* Paget's disease of the nipple
Symptoms of Breast Cancer:
* a lump or a thickening in the breast or in the armpit
* a change of size or shape of the mature breast
* fluid (not milk) leaking from the nipple
* a change of size or shape of the nipple
* a change of color or texture of the nipple or the areola, or of the skin of the breast itself (dimples, puckers, rash)
If You Have Breast Pain
Early stages of breast cancer may not cause any pain or discomfort.
Having a regular mammogram and a clinical breast exam by your health professional can help you understand changes in your breasts. Doing your breast self-exam can help you keep track of regular monthly changes.
Remember, many lumps and rashes are benign (not cancerous) and can respond well to proper treatment. If you experience any symptoms that cause you concern, see your doctor.
Treatments for breast cancer, as well as survival rates, are improving. Early detection and medical help is critical to improving the chances of living beyond a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer isn't always detected with the naked eye. Its early signs are often hidden within your breast tissues. Changes to your breasts that you do see may not be the result of breast cancer at all. Lumps and bumps may come and go, as your hormones ebb and flow, and as you age. Breast skin may change texture due to sunburn, radiation treatments, or infections that cause rashes. So how would you know for sure whether or not a lump, skin rash, or skin dimpling is benign or cancerous? You will need help from your medical professionals to get a clear diagnosis.
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