Consumer Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information
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Breast Cancer Information
The chance of getting breast cancer increases with age. Over eighty percent of the women with breast cancer are over the age of fifty, but it can be found in younger women as well. This makes it important for everyone to be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer so it can be found in the early stages when treatment is more successful.
There are over twenty known factors that affect the chances of getting breast cancer. Some factors can be controlled, while some cannot. In addition to being a female over the age of fifty, other common factors are:
- taking oral contraceptives
- hormone replacement therapy
- being overweight
- eating a high fat diet
- genetics and heredity
Early Detection is Very Important
The public awareness of breast cancer has led to incredible support and research for early detection and successful treatment. The earlier the breast cancer is detected and treated, the better the chances of recovery. Approximately six out of seven breast cancer patients are diagnosed and cured at an early stage of the disease. When found at an advanced stage or after the cancer has spread (metastatic breast cancer), the chances of being cured drops to about one in seven.
Early detection of breast cancer is possible as women are aware of the symptoms and screening methods. Screening for breast cancer includes breast self-examinations, clinical exams by a nurse or doctor, and mammograms. Mammograms are x-ray pictures that can detect a breast cancer tumor even before it can be felt thru an exam. While mammograms have some limitations, the evidence is still strong that they are very beneficial in detecting early stages of cancer in many women.
Breast Cancer Treatment Options
A breast cancer patients best treatment options will usually depend on the type of breast cancer, stage of breast cancer when detected, and one's overall condition. The type of treatment will also depend on the goal of treatment, whether it is to cure the breast cancer, keep it from spreading, or to relieve the symptoms. Breast cancer surgery to remove the tumor is often the primary treatment approach. Additional breast cancer treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Many times the recommended treatment includes a combination of treatment types.