FemaleBattle.net

The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. Sometimes cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed. These cells may form a mass of extra tissue called a growth or tumor. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The most common type of breast cancer begins in the lining of the ducts and is called ductal carcinoma.

Who is at risk for breast cancer?

Most women who have breast cancer have no family history.
More than twenty percent of breast cancers are diagnosed in women under the age of 50.
Being a woman is the greatest risk.
Age increases risk.
Seventy percent of women with breast cancer have no known risk factors.
Early detection is the key to a greater chance of survival and more treatment options.

Can diet, nutrition and exercise influence one's breast cancer risk?

Fat stores estrogen (some breast cancers are estrogen dependent), so the more fit and trim we are, the better our health.

Caloric intake of fat 3 times the norm (obesity) could increase the risk of breast cancer.

The risk of breast cancer is higher in industrial nations and lower in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Women who are from Asia, for example, but relocate to an industrial nation (and adopt their eating and exercise habits) will increase their breast cancer risk.

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains plays a role in overall better health.

Will drinking alcohol increase one's risk for breast cancer?

Studies have shown alcohol consumption can cause between 40 - 70% increased risk of breast cancer with 2 drinks daily.

Are women who use birth control pills at an increased risk for breast cancer?

A woman's risk of developing breast cancer depends on several factors, some of which are related to her natural hormones.

Hormonal factors that increase the risk of breast cancer include conditions that allow high levels of estrogen to persist for long periods of time, such as early age at first menstruation (before age 12), late age at menopause (after age 55), having children after age 30, and not having children at all.

A woman's risk of breast cancer increases with the amount of time she is exposed to estrogen. However, studies examining the use of oral contraceptives as a risk factor for breast cancer have produced inconsistent results. Most studies have not found an overall increased risk for breast cancer associated with oral contraceptive use.

What are the signs of breast cancer?

Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain. In fact, when breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms at all. However, as the cancer grows, it can cause any of the following changes, which women should watch for:

A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
A change in the size or shape of the breast
Nipple discharge or tenderness, or the nipple pulled back (inversion) into the breast
Ridges or pitting of the breast (the skin looks like the skin of an orange
A change in the way the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple looks or feels (for example, warm, swollen, red, or scaly).

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray picture of the breast.

Mammograms are quick and easy. You simply stand in front of an x-ray machine. The person who takes the x-ray places your breast between two plastic plates. The plates press your breast and make it flat. This may be uncomfortable for a few seconds, but it helps to get a clear picture. You will have x-rays taken of each breast.

What are the most common treatments for breast cancer?

Treatment for breast cancer usually includes one or more of the following: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

What can be done to increase chances of survival from breast cancer?

When breast cancer is found and treated early, the chances for survival are better. Women can take an active part in the early detection of breast cancer by having regular mammograms and clinical breast exams (breast exams performed by health professionals). Women should also perform monthly breast self-exams.

When should breast self-examination be performed?

Give yourself a monthly breast self-exam and watch for any changes in your breasts that may indicate a problem.

An early detection plan should include:

Clinical breast examinations every 3 years from age 20-39 and then every year thereafter.
Monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 20. Look for any changes in your breasts.
Baseline mammogram by the age of 40.
Mammogram every 1-2 years for women ages 40-49, depending on previous findings.
Mammogram every year for women over age 50.
Keep a personal record of your self-exams and mammograms. Mark your calendar well in advance to remind you each month.

Source : http://www.thebreastcancersite.com