- The cause of breast cancer is unknown and it cannot be prevented.
- 75% of all breast growths, whether malignant or benign, are
discovered during self-breast examination.
- Family history of breast cancer significantly increases one's risk.
- Nine out of ten growths are detected by women themselves.
- As many as 2 million women in North America will be diagnosed
with breast cancer during the 1990's, more than 500,000 will die or one
every 10 minutes.
- Over the past two decades, the mortality rates for breast cancer
have not changed.
- Eight out of ten breast growths are non-cancerous.
- Increasing age is the second highest risk factor for breast cancer,
being female is the highest.
- The highest rate of increase in breast cancer incidence is among
women aged 60 years and older.
- The smallest detectable lump is about 2-3 mm and could contain
approximately one billion cancer cells.
- There is a six times greater risk if one's mother or sister had
breast cancer prior to menopause.
- There is up to 10 times greater risk if one's mother or sister had
cancer in both breasts.
- The risk of breast cancer is slightly higher with a family history of
cancer of the uterus, cervix or colon.
- The risk triples for obesity with excess caloric and fat intake.
- Male incidence of breast cancer accounts for 1% of all cases.
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