One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). While this may seem like a dire situation, ACS points out that women who receive early diagnosis and treatment dramatically increase their chances of living a long, healthy life.
As women get older, their risk for developing breast cancer increases. Other important risk factors include:
· Family history of breast cancer
· Early menarche
· Late menopause
· Post-menopausal obesity
· Use of combined estrogen and progestin post-menopausal hormones
· Alcohol consumption in excess of 2 drinks per day
· Physical inactivity
In the earliest stages, breast cancer often does not present any noticeable symptoms. As the cancer grows, however, the CDC cautions that women may notice:
· New lumps in the breast or underarm
· Thickening or swelling in part of the breast
· Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
· Flakey skin or redness on the breast
· Pain in nipple area
· Nipple discharge other than breast milk
· change in the size or shape of the breast
· Breast pain
The CDC, ACS, and National Cancer Institute agree that mammograms are the most important tool for early detection of breast cancer, with the CDC claiming that mammograms can sometimes detect breast cancer up to 3 years before symptoms become apparent. The age at which women should begin getting regular mammograms depends on many factors and is the subject of some debate, so talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
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