Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is quickly becoming one of the most publicized forms of cancer, and for good reason. Educating yourself about the signs, symptoms, and treatments available for breast cancer can be just the thing to save your life, or the life of a loved one. While early detection is extremely important, even in cases where breast cancer has been discovered at a later stage, the survival rate is phenomenal.
Although breast cancer more frequently affects women, both men and women can fall victim to breast cancer. Many men are not aware of this, and accordingly are not as concerned as they should be. Breast cancer is, however, a disease of the breast tissue, regardless of the size, shape, or sex of the victim. It is more common for breast cancer to be detected in later stages of life, however anyone can get it. Prevention is not available at this time, so early detection and education are the first steps in fighting it. There are many forms of breast cancer, but probably the most common form is the kind which produces a tumor. Know your breasts, know how they feel and what shape and size they are, and become familiar enough with them that you will notice any significant differences. Most breast cancers are first detected by self exam, so know how to preform one, and do it.
If you suspect a problem, contact your doctor immediately so that he or she may perform an examination of your breasts. Other options include mammograms, sonograms, and even CT scans. Often times when a lump is detected, further investigation is completed before treatment. A sample of the suspicious tissue can quickly confirm whether or not the lump found is malignant (cancerous). Common treatments for breast cancer include lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy, depending on the type and severity of the disease.
From the Web
