Detecting Breast Cancer

Despite increased awareness about the disease, breast cancer among women has been steadily increasing for years. Understanding breast cancer and taking all necessary precautions for early detection can help to fight off what is often a fatal disease affecting millions of women every year.

What is breast cancer?
While the exact cause of the disease is unknown, breast cancer involves the formation of tumors resulting from abnormal cell growth in the breast tissue. Any woman can get breast cancer at any time. Still, there are several factors that may increase the risk of breast cancer in women:

• Age: The risk of breast cancer becomes significantly higher with age so it’s important to schedule more frequent mammograms and checkups.
• Gender: While breast cancer can also occur in men, 99% of cases affect women, the most susceptible group for the disease.
• Family History: If another female in the family has had breast cancer, a woman’s chances are much higher.
• Hormones: This is particularly true following menopause, during which time many women choose to use hormone replacement therapy. These treatments alter estrogen-progestin and estrogen-testosterone levels, causing imbalances that lead to unnatural cell growth in the breast tissue.
• Menstruation: When women begin menstruation early or experience menopause late, they are often more susceptible to breast cancer.
• Having children: Not having children, or having them late in life, can increase a woman’s chances of breast cancer as well.
• Not breastfeeding: Women who choose not to breastfeed have been proven to have a higher incidence of breast cancer.
• Lifestyle and behavior choices: Inactivity, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and other unhealthy life choices can contribute to higher risk for breast cancer in women.

So what can be done?
Breast cancer poses a formidable threat for women anywhere. But the good news is that some risk factors can be reduced. Here are a few things that can be done to help decrease the risk of breast cancer:

• Avoid long-term hormone replacement therapy. This often creates imbalances that can lead to abnormal tissue growth.
• Have children before 30 and breastfeed them.
• Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.
• Limit consumption of alcohol and do not smoke.

Early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. Being aware of the symptoms and making sure to schedule annual screenings and self-checks has saved countless lives.

Self-Checkups
Breast cancer for women in their twenties is very rare, but this is the best time to begin preventative measures. Women in their twenties should perform periodic self-exams to become familiar with how their breasts look and feel. This will ensure that changes are more easily noticed early on and reported to a doctor. The best time to perform self-breast exams is one week after menstruation.

Clinical Breast Exams
Women in their twenties and thirties should schedule breast exams with a healthcare professional at least every three years. This is also a great opportunity to confirm that self-breast exams are being done correctly. Women forty and over should schedule check-ups annually.

Mammograms
Mammograms are simple X-rays of the breast done to reveal any abnormalities. Annual mammograms can reduce breast cancer deaths by 30% and women over forty should schedule one or two every year. Women that are informed about breast screening and diagnostic tests are far less likely to die from breast cancer than those that are less informed.

What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
In order to successfully perform self-breast examinations and increase the chances of early detection, it is important to know what to be on the lookout for. If any of these signs are noticed, women should immediately contact a doctor.

• Breasts feel different. This is usually a painless lump or area in the breast or underarm that seems thicker than normal.
• Breasts look different. This does not occur in all cases, but a dimple-like spot or orange peel texture may indicate breast cancer.
• Change in the nipple. These can be anything, but women often experience a clear or bloody fluid coming from the nipple.
• Redness or scaling on the skin or nipple.

Women experiencing one of more of these symptoms should consult a doctor immediately. Taking the time to perform self-exams, scheduling regular doctor appointments and reporting anything unusual to a doctor is extremely important. While it may seem tedious or unnecessary, if all women made time for these simple things, thousands of lives could be saved every year.

Disclaimer: The content on IndividualHealthInsurance.org should not be considered as medical advice. Never disregard professional medical advice from your doctor or qualified provider. You should always speak with your doctor before changing, stopping or starting any treatment. If you believe you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.