The cause and the treatment of breast cancer have not been identified yet, but, if it is detected in an early phase of its evolution, it can be treated with very good results by conservative surgery of the breast, followed by radio therapy. This treatment of cancer, detected in an early phase, assures a 97% survival rate of five years.

Breast Cancer Symptoms

Early breast cancer has no symptoms. It is usually not painful. Most cancer is discovered before symptoms are present, either by finding an abnormality on mammography or feeling a breast lump. A lump in the armpit or above the collarbone that does not go away may be a sign of cancer. Other possible symptoms are breast discharge, nipple inversion, or changes in the skin overlying the breast.

• Most lumps are not cancerous. All lumps, however, need to be evaluated by a doctor.
• The discharge is a common problem and is rarely a symptom of cancer. Discharge is most concerning if it is from only one breast or if it is bloody. In any case, all the discharge should be evaluated.
• Nipple inversion is a common variant of normal nipples, but nipple inversion that is a new development can be of concern.
• Changes in the skin of the breast include redness, changes in texture, and puckering. These changes are usually caused by skin diseases but occasionally can be associated with these cancer.

Diagnosis

What do you have to do in order to detect breast cancer in an early phase?

1. Clinical exam of the breast:
women with the age between 20 and 40 years should benefit of this exam as part of the general control of their health condition, preferably once in three years. Women older than 40 years must be examined by a specialist once a year.

2. Mammography:
It is a radiological exam of the breast, with very small doses of X rays. Women, which are older than 40, should benefit from a mammography every year. If you notice something suspect at your breast, or you have in your family cases of these cancer, go to your physician and establish together the moment when you should start doing this investigation. Even if some cancers can not be detected by the mammography, this still remains an excellent method of diagnosis.

3. The auto examination of the breast:
This method of an early detection of breast cancer is very important. In order to obtain the best results you must perform it 10 days after the menstruation. If your period is not regular, you may perform the auto examination in the same day of the month. There are sites on the internet where you may find auto examination techniques and other useful information related to this subject.