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Identifying the Signs of Breast Cancerby: Anne Wolski Copyright 2005 Anne Wolski Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer deaths. Every woman's breasts are different so it is important for each individual woman to be familiar with her breasts in order to recognize any peculiarities. Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer may not have any symptoms. This is why it is important to follow screening recommendations. As a tumor grows in size, it can produce a variety of symptoms including: * lump or thickening in the breast or underarm * change in size or shape of the breast * nipple discharge or nipple turning inward * redness or scaling of the skin or nipple * ridges or pitting of the breast skin If you experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have breast cancer, but you need to be examined by a doctor. Breast cancer is very rare before age 20 and is rarely diagnosed in women younger than age 25. Past that age, the incidence rises steadily to reach a peak around the age of menopause. The rate of increase is lessened after menopause, but older women are still at increasing risk over time. Although a specific cause for breast cancer has not been identified, there are risk factors that increase the likelihood that a woman will develop a breast cancer. These risks include: * Maternal relative with breast cancer. * Women who start their menstruation early and/or go into early menopause, increasing the length of reproductive years, are at greater risk. * Obesity. Women who are overweight are at increased risk * Women who have never had children are at greater risk. * Women who had their first child over age 30 are at greater risk. * Previous breast cancer. * Previous endometrial cancer. Aside from the genetic predisposition, the common factor in many of these risks is increased endogenous estrogen exposure over a long time. It is recommended that women over 35 check their breasts monthly. However, it is also important that all women do regular breast checks. Your doctor can show you how to effectively check your breasts. Any lump, regardless of size, should be reported to your doctor. Many of these lumps are simply fatty lumps or cysts but it is far better to be safe than sorry. Catching breast cancer early makes a big difference in the type of treatment needed as well as the overall prognosis. Latest Cancer News:Cancer drug dramatically shrinks prostate tumors, study finds (Los Angeles Times) The survival rate more than doubles among most of the men with aggressive cancers. A second, wider test shows similar results. 'Spectacularly effective,' a researcher says. An experimental cancer drug shrank prostate tumors dramatically and more than doubled survival in 70% to 80% of patients with aggressive cancers, British researchers reported Tuesday. Symphony director's kidney cancer removed (CNN.com) BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- A growth on a kidney removed from conductor James Levine was malignant, but doctors say the cancer was caught early and no further treatment is needed, the Boston Symphony Orchestra said in a statement Tuesday. More Cancer Lymph Nodes Analyzed at Specialty Centers (HealthDay via Yahoo! News) TUESDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with stomach or pancreatic cancer may have more lymph nodes examined for the spread of cancer if they're treated at designated comprehensive cancer centers or at hospitals that do a high number of cancer surgeries, says a U.S. study. Advance vs. prostate cancer (Denver Post) An experimental cancer drug shrank prostate tumors dramatically and more than doubled survival in 70 percent to 80 percent of patients with aggressive cancers, British researchers reported Tuesday. Drug combats untreatable prostate cancer (UPI) LONDON, July 22 (UPI) -- The Phase 1 clinical trial of the drug abiraterone revealed significant tumor shrinkage in men with advanced prostate cancer, researchers in Britain said. Cancer society bus coming to Naperville, Schaumburg (Daily Herald) The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is on tour, encouraging people to get involved in the political end of the fight against a disease that ranks among the top killers in the country. Prostate cancer drug hailed as breakthrough (The New Zealand Herald) A new prostate cancer drug showing stunning results in Britain could successfully treat hundreds of New Zealand men. Breast cancer survivor to speak at conference (The Press-Enterprise) RIVERSIDE - Nikia Hammonds-Blakely, who survived breast cancer at age 16, will speak about her struggle at the fourth annual Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference on Saturday at Cal Baptist University. Rise in breast cancer among Native women may be leveling (Anchorage Daily News) A mysterious 30-year-long increase in breast cancer rates among Alaska Native women may finally be leveling off -- after tripling between 1969 and 1998. A relaxing way to help fight breast cancer (Daily Herald) When Amy Tabisz was 18 years old her mother died of breast cancer. Celebs That Cancer Can't Hold Back - ABC News
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