Breast Cancer Awareness

It has been found that once every two minutes someone is being diagnosed with breast cancer.  The USA alone 211,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed this year.  That is to say that 1in 8 women who live until they are 85 will develop breast cancer at some time in their life.  Certainly research shows that breast cancer causes the highest number of deaths in women between the ages of 40 and 55.  But not only should women be aware of breast cancer, but men also.  It is expected that around 1,600 men will be diagnosed with this disease of this about 400 are expected to die from it.

Whilst many of the breast lumps found are now cancerous, the early detection of any form of breast caner will help to maximize a patients chances of being treated successfully.  Approximately 75% of all forms of breast cancer are detected by self examination, however, it should be noted that not all lumps can be felt by touch alone a mammogram is a highly effective way of discovering breast cancer.  A mammography consists of a low dose of x-ray that help to discover cancerous tumors even long before they can be felt.

If we are able to detect breast cancer earlier enough it is highly treatable and the survival rate for those who have detected it in the early stages is around 95%.  Because of the development of treatment options now available to patient’s the numbers of people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and treated over 2 million are still alive in the USA today.

So what is breast cancer awareness?

Breast cancer awareness is the way in which women are becoming more familiar with the way their breasts should look and feel and any changes that they are supposed to go through during our lifetime.  Any woman should be able to detect any changes in her breasts immediately and you should check your breasts on a regular basis.

There are 5 points that you should remember when thinking of breast cancer awareness

Firstly, you should know what your breasts look and feel like normally.
Secondly, you know what changes you are looking for in them.
Thirdly, remember to examine your breasts regularly (a good place to do this is in a warm bath, when you are relaxed).
Fourthly, any changes you find should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
Finally, arrange to have a regular routine breast screening; this is especially important for those women who are over 50.

There are a number of signs you should be looking for when examining your breasts which will tell you if there is a problem

1. The size of your breasts.  If either one of your breasts turns lower or is larger than the other one.
2. Have there been any rashes developing on around the areas surrounding the nipple.
3. Has the skin on your breast become dimpled or puckered.
4. Has either of the nipples become pulled in or its shaped has changed or its position has moved.
5. Is there any discharge appearing from one or both of your nipples.
6. Do you have any swelling under your arms or around your clavicle.
7. Are there any lumps or thickening of the tissue surrounding the breast.
8. Do you have any continuous pain in either one part of your breast or under your arm.

If you do discover any of the changes shown above then report them to your doctor immediately.  He/she may ask you to come back and see him at another time during your menstrual cycle (this may cause some of the tenderness you feel) or send you to a breast exam clinic for further examinations and tests.

However it should be remembered that many changes in your breasts are not cancerous even if they do require further investigation or need further treatment.

Breast cancer is now beginning not only just women but men as well around the world and therefore breast cancer awareness has become even more important in the fight against this disease.  By having some general knowledge about your breasts structure and by carrying out monthly self examinations and if possible having a regular breast screening you are helping in the first steps of fighting this deadly disease.