Nearly 97 percent of all women diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage survive for more than five years. This statistic points to early detection and diagnosis as the keys to surviving breast cancer. Many breast cancers are found by women themselves.
The most common signs are:
- A new lump or mass in the breast area or underarm area. A mass that is painless, hard, and irregular around the edges is more likely to be cancerous, although some cancers are tender, round, and soft.
- A change in the size or shape of the breast.
- Pain or redness of the nipple, or seeing the nipple turned back into the breast (called inversion or retraction).
- Ridges or pitting of the breast (so the skin resembles the skin of an orange).
- Any changes in the appearance or feel of the skin, areola, or nipple (for example: redness, warmth, swelling, or scaliness).
Screening Mammograms
When breast cancer first develops, there are often no symptoms. That's why experts recommend regular screening mammograms, which can detect cancers several years before a woman or her health provider could detect the presence of a lump. A mammogram can show small deposits of calcium in the breast. While not necessarily cancer, a cluster of calcium specks (called microcalcifications) might be an early sign. If an area looks suspicious on the screening mammogram, your health provider will order additional tests.
Blood Test
Mutations in certain genes increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Women with a strong family history of breast cancer might choose to have a blood test to see if they have inherited a change in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Genetic counseling can help a woman decide if testing is appropriate for her.
Preventive Drugs
Scientists are looking for ways to prevent the development of breast cancer. The drug tamoxifen has been shown to reduce the number of new cases of breast cancer among women at increased risk for the disease. Doctors are now also recommending the drug raloxifene for postmenopausal women who have lobular carcinoma.
Regular Exams
Women under age 40 should have clinical breast exams every three years. After age 40, women should have annual clinical breast exams, and a baseline mammogram. A woman's health provider will determine a specific screening schedule based on her risk factors. All women over age 20 should do breast self-examination every month. |
