A pink ribbon shows support for breast cancer awareness.
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| Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Awareness Angel Art |
View the images and pictures on the Pink Awareness Ribbon Pinterest Board.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too.
Breast cancer is sometimes
found after symptoms appear, but many women with early breast cancer have no
symptoms. The most common symptom
of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. Most
breast lumps are not cancerous (benign). Still, some may need to be sampled and
viewed under a microscope to prove they are not cancer. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a
new lump or mass. A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely
to be cancerous, but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or rounded. They can
even be painful.
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| Country Pink Awareness Ribbon Angel Art |
For this reason, it is
important to have any new breast mass or lump checked by a health care
professional experienced in diagnosing breast diseases.
Let this pink ribbon angel
help support breast cancer awareness!
Above breast cancer
information was obtained from The American Cancer Society.
Read more on their website at: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/index
How to Recognize Breast Cancer Symptoms
Over the course of a woman's lifetime, she may experience breast changes. While many end up being nothing to worry about, it's important to have any changes that you notice checked by a doctor -- just to be on the safe side. Here are the potential breast cancer symptoms to watch out for.
Warning
This video does not replace actual medical advice. Always consult your doctor with any questions or concerns.
Step 1: Do a monthly self-exam
Start performing a monthly self-exam as soon as your breasts are fully developed. Checking yourself regularly is important -- you need to know what your breasts feel like normally so you can recognize any changes. Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. If you're no longer having periods, choose a day that's easy to remember, such as the first or last day of the month. Keep in mind that it's not uncommon for breasts to feel lumpy due to benign fibrocystic breast disease, cysts, scar tissue, infections, and other causes that have nothing to do with cancer.
Tip
For instructions on how to do a breast self-exam properly, go to "Breastcancer.org":http://www.breastcancer.org/.
Step 2: Have lumps checked
Know what you're feeling for: a lump that feels different from your breast's normal lumpiness, like discovering a pebble in your oatmeal. Though many lumps are benign, anything that feels new or odd should be checked by your doctor -- even if you've recently had a clean mammogram. Check for lumps in your armpits, too.
Tip
Cancerous lumps are more likely to be hard, painless, and unmovable.
Step 3: Beware of dimpled skin
Look for visible changes, like dimpled, puckered, thickened, reddened, or scaly breast skin, or a flattening or indentation on the breast. All are potential breast cancer symptoms that should be evaluated.
Step 4: Note nipple changes
Recognize the nipple changes that can indicate breast cancer -- pain; redness; scaliness; itching; skin thickening; the nipple turning inward; or discharge other than breast milk.
Step 5: Have pain and swelling evaluated
See your doctor about swelling in all or part of your breast, or breast pain. Though swelling and soreness are usually no cause for concern, these symptoms can be signs of a rare but aggressive form of the disease known as inflammatory breast cancer.
Step 6: Get regular check-ups
Have your doctor perform a breast examination at your yearly check-up, and begin annual mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history of the disease, tell your doctor: they may suggest that you start having mammograms at an earlier age. Knowing the signs of breast cancer -- and being proactive about knowing how to recognize them early -- is the best way to protect yourself.
Did You Know?
In a "Breastcancer.org":http://www.breastcancer.org/ survey of more than 2,200 women, 37 percent said they first detected their breast cancer with a self-exam.
How to Recognize Breast Cancer Symptoms
Over the course of a woman's lifetime, she may experience breast changes. While many end up being nothing to worry about, it's important to have any changes that you notice checked by a doctor -- just to be on the safe side. Here are the potential breast cancer symptoms to watch out for.
Warning
This video does not replace actual medical advice. Always consult your doctor with any questions or concerns.
Step 1: Do a monthly self-exam
Start performing a monthly self-exam as soon as your breasts are fully developed. Checking yourself regularly is important -- you need to know what your breasts feel like normally so you can recognize any changes. Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. If you're no longer having periods, choose a day that's easy to remember, such as the first or last day of the month. Keep in mind that it's not uncommon for breasts to feel lumpy due to benign fibrocystic breast disease, cysts, scar tissue, infections, and other causes that have nothing to do with cancer.
Tip
For instructions on how to do a breast self-exam properly, go to "Breastcancer.org":http://www.breastcancer.org/.
Step 2: Have lumps checked
Know what you're feeling for: a lump that feels different from your breast's normal lumpiness, like discovering a pebble in your oatmeal. Though many lumps are benign, anything that feels new or odd should be checked by your doctor -- even if you've recently had a clean mammogram. Check for lumps in your armpits, too.
Tip
Cancerous lumps are more likely to be hard, painless, and unmovable.
Step 3: Beware of dimpled skin
Look for visible changes, like dimpled, puckered, thickened, reddened, or scaly breast skin, or a flattening or indentation on the breast. All are potential breast cancer symptoms that should be evaluated.
Step 4: Note nipple changes
Recognize the nipple changes that can indicate breast cancer -- pain; redness; scaliness; itching; skin thickening; the nipple turning inward; or discharge other than breast milk.
Step 5: Have pain and swelling evaluated
See your doctor about swelling in all or part of your breast, or breast pain. Though swelling and soreness are usually no cause for concern, these symptoms can be signs of a rare but aggressive form of the disease known as inflammatory breast cancer.
Step 6: Get regular check-ups
Have your doctor perform a breast examination at your yearly check-up, and begin annual mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history of the disease, tell your doctor: they may suggest that you start having mammograms at an earlier age. Knowing the signs of breast cancer -- and being proactive about knowing how to recognize them early -- is the best way to protect yourself.
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| Sweet Pink Awareness Ribbon Angel Art |
In a "Breastcancer.org":http://www.breastcancer.org/ survey of more than 2,200 women, 37 percent said they first detected their breast cancer with a self-exam.
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