If you are a fan of Hollywood movies, it is likely you know of Angelina Jolie and her difficult decision to undergo surgery a preventive measure against breast cancer. She found though detailed genetic testing that she is at risk of developing breast cancer and made the very difficult decision to undergo surgery as a means to prevent the potential occurrence of cancer. While it must have been a very personal decision, she made it public and thanks to her many are now aware of the issues surrounding breast cancer and the numerous ways the medical sector deals with it. Due to her superstar status and her willingness to go public, many women around the world are partaking an active interest in learning more about the specific cancer and ways to deal with it. As is with other ailments and health problems, knowing in advance gives people more choices.
As for the precise definition, according to the Mayo Clinic, breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in many parts of the world. While, breast cancer can occur in both men and women, it is much more common in women.
Major efforts for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped create advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer today. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the survival rates associated with this disease is steadily improving, thanks to such efforts as early detection, detailed genetics tests and a generally better understanding of the disease and its containment.
Some symptoms of breast cancer may include:
- A lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissues of the breast
- Change in the size, shape, or appearance of a breast
- Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimples
- A newly inverted nipple
- Peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin
- Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange.