Recognizing and Battling Breast Cancer
The diagnoses of breast cancer have been widespread throughout North America and in Europe. There were over 200,000 cases diagnosed in the United States in 2001. The facts about cancer are that ALL women have around a one in eight chance of being diagnosed; however, the risk of dying from this disease is quite a bit lower, at about one in twenty eight. The Warning Signs Women who are older, have a family history of cancer, or who have had any type of radiation therapy in the breast area have a much greater chance of developing breast cancer. Also women who began their periods before the age of twelve or started the menopause after the age of fifty have a greater risk. Women who have never had children or didn't have children till after the age of thirty also have an increased risk of suffering from breast cancer. There is also the chance of developing breast cancer if the woman has any sort of genetic mutation within her system. Genetic mutations have become a recent hot topic on the research frontier. Another area that has been widely discussed over the last twenty years is the link between breast cancer and the pill which even today it is not clearly defined as being an increased risk or not. As has always been stated, it is best to learn to listen to your body & do self-exams for breast cancer at least once per month. You can do so by laying down and examining the breast area for any of the following symptoms, such as lumps or thickening that may appear on the breast itself or under the arm, any changes in the shape of the breast, an inverted nipple with any type of discharge, red or scaly skin around the nipple area, or any ridges appearing on the skin of the breast. If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have breast cancer; but, you will want to set up an appointment with your healthcare provider in order to rule it out. By doing personal self-exams, women can catch early warning signs 95% faster than without. The best time to perform your breast self-exam is every month after your menstrual period. Check for the warning signs listed above. You can also schedule exams with your personal healthcare provider to check for these signs. Available Treatment Options There are various forms of breast cancer treatment, such as surgery, that can help remove these cancerous tissues. Some of these treatments include breast conservation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. These forms of therapy help in early detection and forms of therapy, such as chemotherapy, help to destroy stray cancer cells that may linger after treatment. It is vital for your health to stay on top of your possible diseases. Almost half of all women who experience breast cancer will have a recurrence of the disease, so it is important to always do self-exam screenings when possible and to keep all scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider. Do you have any specific questions or comments that would help others Battling Breast Cancer? Healthy Lifestyle Questions and Answers
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I'm Tiffany - fifty something midlifer - 20 years experience! This site is packed with advice and information to help you get the most out of life by becoming, healthier, fitter, happier and ultimately taking you to a more satisfying future. C'mon, let's do it together!