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BREAST CANCER
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease in which
normal cells in the breast go crazy and
start growing out of control. Then they
form a tumor. When a tumor is
dangerous, it is called cancer. When the
tumor is not dangerous, or when it is
unknown whether it is cancer or not, it is
called a mass.
How common is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the leading cause of
cancer in women and the second cause
of cancer death. 1 in 7 women get
breast cancer.
What are the signs and symptoms of
breast cancer?
Cancer cells can grow inside the breast
for a long time before signs are seen.
Some symptoms include:
 Breast lump: usually painless,
firm and not movable
 Lump or mass in the armpit
 Change in size or shape of the
breast
 New or unusual fluid coming
from your nipple
 Wavy breast skin (or if it looks
like an orange peel)
 Your nipple changes by turning
inside-out
 Breast pain, enlargement or
redness
Am I at risk for breast cancer?
Some of the risk factors for the
development of breast cancer include:
 Age and sex: Women older than
50 have a much higher risk of
developing breast cancer.
 Genetic factors: History of a
family member with breast
cancer, especially a mother,
sister, or aunt, greatly increases
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your chance of getting breast
cancer.
Women who started their period
before the age of 12, or go
through menopause after age
55, are at a higher risk for
developing breast cancer.
Birth control pills: There is a
slight increased risk, depending
on age, length of use, and other
factors.
Hormone Replacement therapy:
This also depends on the
hormones used and how long
they were used for.
Obesity
Alcohol
What can I do to prevent breast
cancer?
Although there is no proven way to
prevent breast cancer, maintaining a
healthy life style, ideal weight and eating
healthy all decrease the chance of
developing breast cancer.
Mammograms:
A mammogram is basically an x-ray
picture of the breast that can show
breast cancer earlier than it can be felt
as a lump. Although they do not prevent
breast cancer, they save lives by
detecting a mass early. Treatment can
then be started early, before the tumor
spreads too much.
It is recommended that women have
yearly mammograms starting at age 40.
If there is a history of breast cancer in
the family, earlier screening may be
necessary.
Talk to your doctor if you think you need
a mammogram. St. Vincent’s Clinic can
help you to schedule a mammogram
through the D’feet Breast Cancer
program.
References: www.breastcancer.org; National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov
For more information, please talk to your healthcare provider.