The Importance of Early Detection

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Did you know that the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization has been promoting the visibility of breast cancer issues and highlighting the importance of early detection for more than 20 years?

During menstruation, the breasts go through various changes.  Sometimes a lump may form, and in most of these instances, the lump is harmless.  However, any lump detected should be examined by your doctor.  Breast cancer usually begins with a small tumor.  Sometimes these tumors are benign and do not affect other cells.  Other tumors may be malignant with the potential to spread or metastasize.  Early detection is so important because once a tumor grows, it is more likely to shed cells and spread to other parts of the body.

Here are some signs to look for, according to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website.

• Any new, hard lump or thickening of any part of the breast
• Change in breast size or shape
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Swelling, redness, or warmth that does not go away
• Pain in one spot that does not vary with your monthly cycle
• Pulling in of the nipple
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly and only appears in one breast
• An itchy, sore, or scaling area on one nipple

If treated early, the odds of successful treatment are high.  It’s when the cancer begins to spread that things become more difficult.  According to WebMD, thanks to improved screening and treatment options, at least 7 out of 10 women with breast cancer will survive more than five years after the initial diagnosis, and half will survive more than ten years.  Annual mammograms after age 40 can also increase the odds of early detection.  So be aware of the signs and encourage the women you love to also perform self breast exams.

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