Breast Cancer Health

Get 10 facts about breast cancer from an expert doctor in this article from Lifescript.com, a leading women's health resource online.

Here's a sneak peek at the facts included in the full 9-page article:

#1: Breast cancer is the second-leading cancer in women, after lung cancer. Second only to skin cancer it's the most frequently occurring type of cancer.

#2: Early detection is key because when the cancer hasn't spread farther than the breast(s), the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent. Women should undergo annual mammograms and breast exams by age 40; they should also perform self-exams once per month.

#3: Mammography is the best, most reliable way to detect whether a patient has breast cancer. More and more women are getting diagnosed at early stages of breast cancer due to increased mammography use. Twenty-five percent of breast cancers are found in breast exams -- 40% by a combination of breast exams and mammography and 35% by mammography alone.

#4: You can check for possible signs yourself. The most common symptoms include: Changes in the breast(s), such as changes in appearance or feel, and changes in the look or feel of the nipple.

#5: It might not be enough to get a mammogram. A physican may suggest a patient receives magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other imaging tests, such as ultrasound, positron emission tomography, stereotactic, scintigraphy and lymphatic mapping.

#6: While risk factors may boost the chance of getting breast cancer, that's not always the case. Likewise, being free and clear of risk factors doesn't mean you won't get breast cancer, either.

#7: The genetic mutations known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase risk. Women who have these genetic mutations tend to have a higher risk for getting breast cancer.

#8: Race and ethnicity plays a role due to inherited risk factors, and/or a gap in the amount of medical care and/or screening rates. Caucasians are the most likely to get breast cancer, while Native Americans the least likely to get the disease.

#9: Diet and exercise can help. Weight gain after the age of 18 or after menopause boosts your risk. Losing weight can lower your breast cancer risk factors.

#10: What could potentially boost breast cancer risk is hormone replacement therapy, according to the findings of recent research.

For much more on the above facts and more vital cancer information you should know, check out the full article at Lifescript.com.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Get 10 facts about breast cancer from an expert doctor in this article from Lifescript.com, a leading women's health resource online.

Here's a sneak peek at the facts included in the full 9-page article:

#1: Breast cancer is the second-leading cancer in women, after lung cancer. Second only to skin cancer it's the most frequently occurring type of cancer.

#2: Early detection is key because when the cancer hasn't spread farther than the breast(s), the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent. Women should undergo annual mammograms and breast exams by age 40; they should also perform self-exams once per month.

#3: Mammography is the best, most reliable way to detect whether a patient has breast cancer. More and more women are getting diagnosed at early stages of breast cancer due to increased mammography use. Twenty-five percent of breast cancers are found in breast exams -- 40% by a combination of breast exams and mammography and 35% by mammography alone.

#4: You can check for possible signs yourself. The most common symptoms include: Changes in the breast(s), such as changes in appearance or feel, and changes in the look or feel of the nipple.

#5: It might not be enough to get a mammogram. A physican may suggest a patient receives magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other imaging tests, such as ultrasound, positron emission tomography, stereotactic, scintigraphy and lymphatic mapping.

#6: While risk factors may boost the chance of getting breast cancer, that's not always the case. Likewise, being free and clear of risk factors doesn't mean you won't get breast cancer, either.

#7: The genetic mutations known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase risk. Women who have these genetic mutations tend to have a higher risk for getting breast cancer.

#8: Race and ethnicity plays a role due to inherited risk factors, and/or a gap in the amount of medical care and/or screening rates. Caucasians are the most likely to get breast cancer, while Native Americans the least likely to get the disease.

#9: Diet and exercise can help. Weight gain after the age of 18 or after menopause boosts your risk. Losing weight can lower your breast cancer risk factors.

#10: What could potentially boost breast cancer risk is hormone replacement therapy, according to the findings of recent research.

For much more on the above facts and more vital cancer information you should know, check out the full article at Lifescript.com.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).