A Cancer that starts in the breast is known as breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world. It affects women more than men. Each year 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in United States alone. 1 in every 8 women either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
Am I at risk for having a breast cancer?
Lifestyle and family history or your traits affects your risk of having a breast cancer. The following are the factors which may affect your risk of having this disease.
ü Age. As you grow older, the more you are at risk for having breast cancer. Most women aged over 60 years are more likely to have this disease.
ü Family history. A strong family history of breast cancer or any other cancer makes you more at risk for having one. The risk is even much higher if your relative was diagnosed before the age 50 years old.
ü Personal health history. When you are diagnosed with breast cancer and affects your one breast, it is more likely that you developed again the disease on your other breast. Moreover, having certain types of abnormal cells such as hyperplasia or abnormal growth of breast cells, increases your risk of having an invasive breast cancer.
ü Menstruation history. Women, who got their periods before the age 12 or went through menopause after the age of 55, have an increased risk of having breast cancer.
ü Lifestyle. Alcohol consumption of 1 to 2 glasses a day increases the likelihood of acquiring the disease. Obesity also has been linked to developing breast cancer.
How will I know if I’m developing the disease?
You may feel an abnormal, painless lump in your breast. It is essential that you perform self-breast exam in order to detect this unwanted lumps. Although most lumps are not cancer, it is much better to have your doctors check it to be sure. It is also important that you have your regular mammography performed to help identify breast lumps that can’t be detected by a self-breast examination.
