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Breast cancer is defined as a growth that first appears in the tissues of the breast. Unfortunately, this growth is malignant. Although there is a chance that breast cancer may result in death, there is a good chance that it can be treated. This treatment; however, requires the diagnosis of breast cancer. The good news is that most women and their physicians are able to diagnosis breast cancer at an early stage. This early stage diagnosis may prevent breast cancer from being life threatening.

While all women, and even some men, are at risk for developing breast cancer, there are those who are at an increased risk. These increased risks may include age, gender, family history, increased alcohol consumption, and the use of birth control pills. Essentially, this means that if you drink more than two or three alcoholic drinks a day, rely on oral contraceptives for birth control, are fifty and above, or your family has had a history of breast cancer, your risk for developing it rapidly increases. These risk factors will not necessarily mean that you will develop breast cancer, but they do mean that you should be more aware of your body and the most common breast cancer symptoms.

The most obvious symptom of breast cancer is a breast lump. These lumps tend to be irregularly shaped and painless. It is advised that you learn how to perform your own breast exam. Information and diagrams, for doing so, can be obtained online or from you healthcare provider. In addition to self-exams, it is also advised that your physician performs an exam, at least once every year. Self-breast exams and those performed by physicians are the best ways to diagnosis breast cancer, especially in those under the age of forty.

Another one of the many breast cancer symptoms, that you should be on the lookout for, include obvious changes in the breasts. Many times, these changes will only occur in one breast, not both of them. These changes may include a change in size or a change in shape. In the event that you begin to notice these changes you are advised to perform your own self-exam, to feel for any lumps. It is also advised that you contact your physician for additional information.

The above mentioned breast cancer symptoms, changes in breast appearance or the finding of a lump, are the most well-known breast cancer symptoms, but they are not the only ones. You are also advised to be on the lookout for changes in your skin. The focus should be placed on skin that can be found on or around the breast area. Common skin changes include noticeable veins, scaly skin, and increased redness.

Breast cancer has also been associated with pain. Therefore, if you notice pain in one of your breasts, it is advised that you contact your physician immediately. As previously mentioned, the best way to treat breast cancer is to receive an early diagnosis. It is advised that breast cancer be diagnosed and treated before the cancer progresses, but that cannot always happen. In that case, you are also advised to note any rapid weight loss, arm swelling, and bone pain. These are signs of advance breast cancer; therefore, it is advised that you contact your physician as soon as these symptoms are noticed.

Although the above mentioned breast cancer symptoms may not mean that you have cancer, it is still advised that you speak to your physician. In the event that they are the attributed to breast cancer, additional tests will be ordered. These tests may include mammograms, biopsies, and ultrasounds. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you and your physician will then work to decide on the best course of treatment.