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Breast Cancer Facts

Breast Cancer Facts
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the breast tissue of the individual. Sometimes there are symptoms such as the presence of a lump in the breast, skin dimpling, discharge from the nipple, or changes in the skin's appearance. Women are most commonly affected but it does occur in men as well. The risk factors include inherited genes, lack of exercise, being overweight or obese, drinking alcohol, smoking, hormone replacement, radiation, not having children or having them later in life, and poor diet. Breast cancer screening is controversial due to the potential harm of mammograms. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and mastectomy.
Interesting Breast Cancer Facts:
The first sign of breast cancer is usually a lump that is distinguishable from other breast tissue.
It is estimated that approximately 80% of cases of breast cancer are detected by the presence of a lump.
Although pain in the breast or armpit can indicate the presence of breast cancer, its presence is not a reliable indicator of cancer because it can be caused by a variety of other issues as well.
Lumps are not always a sign of breast cancer. It is estimated that only 20% of lumps are due to cancer while the rest are due to breast disorders such as mastitis or fibroadenoma.
There are risk factors for breast cancer that are considered fixed, as they are risk factors that can't be changed such as sex or age.
There are risk factors for breast cancer that are considered modifiable, as they are risk factors that can be changed such as alcohol consumption, diet, and exercise.
Genetics are considered to be responsible for in roughly 5 to 10% of cases. Having the gene does not mean that an individual will develop breast cancer. The risk is between 60 and 80% in this population.
Breast cancer develops when cancer cells form in breast tissue.
It is estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. during their lifetime. More than 246,660 women are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.
Roughly 40,000 women in the U.S. die of breast cancer each year.
The most common cancer diagnosed in women is breast cancer.
Among women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths.
Men are also at risk for breast cancer. In the U.S., approximately 2,600 men are diagnosed with the disease each year. Approximately 440 die each year.
The most common cancer in women worldwide is breast cancer.
A decline in replacement hormone therapy in recent years coincides with a reduction in breast cancer in women over the age of 50.
Since roughly 1990, deaths due to breast cancer have been declining. This is believed to be because of better early detection and screening, as well as increased awareness, and improved options for treatment.
There are approximately 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and survival rates are increasing.
Lung cancer is the only cancer that claims more women's lives than breast cancer. Smoking increases the risk for both lung and breast cancer.


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