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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 Connection: Survivor's guilt can be painful side effect of cancer People going through cancer treatment at the same time often form their own peer group. They see each other in chemo, in radiation and in various support groups. The fortunate ones do well, but they often feel guilty when others in their cohort succumb to the disease. Cancer institute celebrates opening of expansion LITTLE ROCK ? Forty cancer survivors shared the stage with dignitaries such as Gov. Mike Beebe and former U.S. Sen. David Pryor at a ceremony today marking the opening of a 12-story expansion to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Cancer Research UK launches new £18 million Biotherapeutics Development Unit Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office marks the launch of its Biotherapeutics Development Unit (BDU) today (Friday) with the manufacture of its first product - an antibody for treating a range of cancers. Cancer Vaccine: 4 Months of Life Worth $100K? Prostate cancer vaccine, Provenge, adds 4 months to life, at a pricetag of 100K. The first-ever approved cancer vaccine, Provenge offers hope to men with advanced prostate cancer, but the high cost of this new treatment raises healthcare policy questions. Prostate cancer - Sipuleucel-T - Cancer - Cancer vaccine - Health CÁNCER (Julio 30) CÁNCER: No olvides desarrollar tu trabajo con organización y perseverancia. Trata de hacer algo totalmente nuevo; tus amistades serán tus mejores aliadas. Breast Cancer's DNA Yields More Secrets Title: Breast Cancer's DNA Yields More Secrets Category: Health News Created: 7/29/2010 2:10:00 PM Last Editorial Review: 7/30/2010 Cancer Group Says State Failing To Combat Disease The American Cancer Society released a statement saying Tennessee is falling short on legislative efforts to fight the disease. Cancer patients in windpipe swap op Doctors have successfully transplanted windpipes into two cancer patients in an innovative procedure that uses stem cells to allow a donated trachea to regenerate tissue and create an organ biologically close to the original. Related Stories Two killed in Los Angeles explosion Billy the Kid pardon considered Chelsea Clinton set to tie the knot Everglades added to UN danger list Wilders denied ... Cancer survivors show how to LiveStrong Oklahoma cancer patients and survivors will pitch for a future free of cancer at the annual LiveStrong Night with the Oklahoma City RedHawks. Turner Mason Swink, an Oklahoma City eighth-grader first diagnosed with cancer when he was only a year old, and 8-year-old Caitlin Schemmel, a third-grader from Colbert diagnosed with leukemia in December, will throw out the first pitch at the event ... Male Breast Cancer In Family Leads To High Perception Of Risk, Low Likelihood Of Genetic Counseling People with a family history of male breast cancer perceive themselves to be at higher risk of developing the disease than do patients with a family history of female breast cancer; however those with male breast cancer in their families are less likely to know about or seek genetic testing than those with a family history of female breast cancer, according to a study led by researchers at the ... Showtime stays true to form with 'The Big C,' a cancer comedy - Dallas Morning News
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