185.700 new cases to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. 44.560 deaths expected.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women.
Risk factors
Inherited genetic mutations; increasing age; early onset of menstruation; late menopause;
never having had children or having a first child after age 30; personal or family history of
breast cancer; high fat diet.
Warning signs
A painless lump in the breast is typical, but there may occasionally be pain; any change
in the shape, color or texture of the breast or the nipple; discharge from the nipple.
Detection and diagnosis
Self-examination and clinical breast exams; mammograms. For all woman older than 50
it is recommended annual mammograms and breast checkups.
Treatment
For localized tumors, mastectomy (removal of the whole breast) may be appropriate, but
breast-conserving surgery followed by local radiation is often preferable. Either procedure may
be followed by additional chemotherapy or hormone-blocking therapy. If tumor cells have high levels
of receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone, it is a good sign because hormone-blocking
therapy may stop their growth.
Five-year survival rates
All stages: 83,2% Localized: 96,1% Distant spread: 19,8%
Self-examination, even in young woman, is essential for early diagnose. It is necessary it
became an habit of all women.
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Risk factors
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