HOW TO BE AWARE FROM BREAST CANCER:

 Breast cancer can have an impact on many aspects of your daily life. Everyone copes with their diagnosis differently, but breast cancer blogs can provide you with the latest breast cancer breakthroughs, educational information, and support. 

With roughly 1 in 8 women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, the odds are high that nearly everyone is affected by this disease in some way.

Whether it’s a personal diagnosis or that of a loved one, finding answers to your questions and a supportive community of people who understand the experience can make all the difference. This year, we’re honoring breast cancer blogs that educate, inspire, and empower their readers.

These blogs represent a broad sampling of stories and information aimed at serving those with breast cancer and the people near and dear to them. Breast cancer diagnoses and treatments are always evolving. Getting the latest information may save your life and give you a little peace of mind, too. These blogs make it clear that even in the face of one face of one of life’s greatest challenges, it’s possible to find strength or perhaps just the right words to make it through the day. Read up, reach out, and stay strong in the face of breast cancer.”

Every woman should know how her breasts normally look and feel, so she can recognize any changes that may occur. “While knowing what to look for is important, a woman should still get her regular mammograms and clinical breast exams, as these tests can help detect breast cancer before she even has symptoms,” said Tuite.

Signs of breast cancer may include:

Lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)

Swelling or thickening of all or part of the breast

Dimpling or skin irritation of breast skin

Localized, persistent breast pain

Redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin

Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)

Any change in the size or shape of the breast

Keeping breast cancer at bay:

Regardless of your risks, getting your mammograms on schedule is a huge way to help you find breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.

Despite these known risks, your risk is unique. Make sure you stay on top of breast cancer facts and talk with your primary care provider anytime you’re concerned.

Important breast cancer facts:

1. Ethnicity plays a role. Breast cancer is more common among white women and African American women. While the rates for white women have stabilized, the rates of breast cancer in African American women have increased slightly in recent years.

2. It can be more than a lump. A breast lump is the most common symptom, but it’s not the only one that signals breast cancer. Signs can also include.Swelling of part or all of the breast Skin irritation Nipple retraction Redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin Nipple discharge other than breast milk.Women often find symptoms on their own. That’s why it’s so important to know how your breasts look and feel normally.

3. Symptoms can be outside the breast. Breast cancer can spread to the lymph nodes. It can cause swelling or a lump around the collarbone or under the arm before the original tumor in the breast is even big enough to be felt. Your doctor should check any swollen lymph nodes, even if they’re painless.

4. Family history isn’t the only risk factor. If you had chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, you’re at a higher risk for breast cancer.

5. No risk factors doesn’t mean no cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most women with breast cancer have no known risk factors. They don’t have a history of the disease in their families either.

6. More women are surviving breast cancer. From 1989 to 2015, the number of women who died from breast cancer dropped by 39%. Experts think this decrease is due in part to finding the cancer earlier with regular screenings.

 Monthly self-exams still matter:

Careful observation of your own breasts doesn’t replace the importance of having your regular mammograms. But they are still an important part of your breast cancer screening regimen.

 The guidelines for these breast self-exams have changed. Make sure you’re armed with the best recommendations.

Breast Cancer Screening:

Fox Chase Cancer Center follows breast cancer screening guidelines set forth by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging (SBI).

All women should have a risk assessment at age 30 to see if screening earlier than age 40 is needed.

Women at average breast cancer risk should begin screening at age 40.

Women previously diagnosed with breast cancer may also benefit from supplemental screening with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), especially if their cancer was diagnosed at or before the age of 50.