October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) began in October 1985. When the NBCAM first started it was only a weeklong, today the NBCAM last the entire month of October. During this time several national public service organizations that make up the NBCAM groups, get together and bring awareness and provide information on breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

October may be NBCAM, but it does not stop there. The organization provides information, help, support and awareness to people all year long. They want not only women but men as well to pay attention to their bodies and get regular check ups and mammograms. Learn how to give an at home self breast exam and know the signs to look for. Detecting breast cancer early could mean the difference between life and death.

Breast cancer is on the top ten lists of most common causes of cancers in women. The most recent statistics numbers are from the year 2004. In that year 186,772 women and 1,815 men were diagnosed with breast cancer. Also during that year 40,954 women and 362 men, died due to breast cancer.

The most effective way to identify breast cancer is with a mammogram. Having regular screening will help ensure early detection of breast cancer, while in its most treatable stages. A lump in the breast is the most common and often first symptom noticed with breast cancer. However just because there is a lump does not mean that it is cancer. Nine out of ten lumps that are found are not cancerous. Many times it is lumpiness that appears in women over 35, shortly before their period. Cysts that form in breast tissue are rather common and in younger women, it is often a collection of fibrous glandular tissue.

Lumps are not the only sign associated with breast cancer, there are others to keep an eye out for as well. The most common symptoms include:

A lump or thickening of any part of the breast.

Breast changing in size or shape.

Dimpling of the breast skin.

Changing of the nipple either becoming irregular in shape or pulling in.

Discharge from the nipple, often blood stained.

Rash on or around nipple.

As mentioned with lumps, just because one of these symptoms is noticed, it does not mean breast cancer. Each of these symptoms can also be related to other medical conditions. If there is ever any concern or you are not sure of what you are seeing or feeling, the best bet is, call your doctor and get it checked out.

sources:

en.wikipedia.org

www.cdc.gov

www.cancerhe,p.org.ukwww.nbcam.org