Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the breast. Many different factors can contribute to developing breast cancer.
Some facts about breast cancer from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, INC:
- 62% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage, for which the 5-year survival rate is 99%.
- 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
- There are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
- Although rare, men get breast cancer too. The lifetime risk for U.S. men is about 1 in 1,000.
A few factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include (not an exhaustive list):
- Being Female
- Increased age
- A personal history of breast cancer
- Obesity
- Drinking alcohol
- A family history of breast cancer
Some risk factors are avoidable such as obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, wile others such as age, gender, and family history are not avoidable.
No matter what risk factors you have, when it comes to breast cancer, early detection is key! With early detection in the localization stage, the 5 year survival rate is 100%.
Here are some symptoms to look for:
A. A change to appearance of the skin, or dimpling sometimes called “orange peel” appearance.
B. A lump in the breast.
C. Nipple tenderness, lump, or thickening around the breast or underarm area.
2. Changes to the breast appearance.
A. Unexplained swelling or shrinking of the breast (especially if one sided)
B. Any unexplained shape change
C. Dimpling of the skin
D. Nipple turning slightly inward or inverted when it wasn’t before
3. Nipple discharge
A. Discharge that is particularly clear or bloody.
Dense breasts can present a different type of problem in which the denser or more fibrous breast tissue makes it harder to read a mammogram. Some states are requiring patients be notified of dense breast tissue. Dense breasts also require a mammogram to be followed up with an ultrasound. If your doctor isn’t ordering this for you, please ask them to do so.
Regular self and clinical exams can help with early detection. Performing self exams monthly either in the shower, in front of a mirror or lying down. Follow up with your doctor for a yearly exam and mammograms every 1-2 years if over age 40.
If you feel a lump on exam, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away, but don’t panic. 8 out of 10 lumps are non-cancerous.
There is a lot of information and mis-information regarding breast cancer out there. If you have questions, please talk to your doctor. When breast cancer is detected and treated early, the outcomes and survival rates are very favorable. Self exams, yearly exams, mammograms, and managing risk factors can help with prevention and early detection of breast cancer.
For more information, see your doctor or talk to Dr. Teresa Richter.
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