The advantage of the modern times is that people have access to a lot of breast cancer facts. This way it becomes easier to prevent the condition.
Also people can find effective treatments and they can understand the lifestyle choices and genetic factors that influence their chances of being affected.
Prevalence facts about breast cancer
Only lung cancer appears more often than breast cancer. This condition accounts for about 10% of all cancer cases all over the world. Women are 100 times more likely to be affected by the condition. Nonetheless the chances of survival are about the same in case of both genders.
Symptoms
It is one of the facts about breast cancer that the most obvious symptom of the condition is a lump or mass in the breast tissue. The best way to find an abnormal lump is to have a self-exam about once a month.
Women should also have a mammogram on a yearly basis. This is performed at the doctor’s office. The breast cancer facts include the fact that the problem can be detected at the early stages.
If this is case, the chances of survival increase. Some other common symptoms include a change in the shape, size or color of the breasts.
Both the women and the doctors say that when the condition appears, the breasts start to remind them of oranges. This is because they get a reddish color and the texture turns into a bumpy one.
Although this is a common symptom, you could be affected by the condition even if you don’t have it.
Treatment as part of breast cancer facts
The most commonly used treatment method is surgery. If the condition is found at early stages, it may be possible to remove all the cancerous tissue without affecting the breast. However, in other cases, it may be needed to have a mastectomy that is a more drastic treatment option.
The facts about breast cancer include that mastectomy reduces the chances of recurring cancer drastically. In some cases, the patients also receive radiation and medication treatments. When radiation is used, the patient has smaller chances of the cancer to reappear.
Nonetheless, when thinking about breast cancer facts and treatments, we also have to consider the side effects. The side effects of radiation may be difficult to tolerate for women. In the same time, the medication could also have some unwanted side effects.
Breast cancer and survival facts
If the condition is found at the earliest stages, the chances of survival are of almost 100%. If the condition is already of stage II when it is diagnosed, the chances drop to 98%. Almost everybody at this stage survives during the following 5 years. After this stage, the chances of survival drop dramatically.
If you would like to know about other breast cancer facts, it is best to discuss the matter with your doctor. Naturally there are also numerous books that you could consult for more information and also for more facts.
