Symptoms: Breast lump, thickening, swelling, distortion or tenderness, and nipple pain.
Risk Factors: The risk of acquiring breast cancer increases with age. Women with a family history of breast cancers, early-aged menstruation or late menopause are at a higher risk.
Detection & Treatment: Women aged 40 and over are advised to have an annual mammogram and breast exam. Women aged 20-39 are advised to have a breast exam every 3 years. Treatment may involve a combination of the following: lumpectomy, mastectomy, removal of lymph nodes under the arm, radiation, chemotherapy of hormone therapy. The 5-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer is 97%. For cancers which have spread locally, the survival rate is 77%. Once distant metastases has occurred the rate drops to 22%.