Breast Cancer
Early diagnosis is key to surviving breast cancer. Of the nearly 184,000 women in the United States who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, approximately 41,000 will die from the disease.

Symptoms

• A lump or mass in the breast
• Breast swelling or distortion
• Breast irritation or dimpling
• Nipple pain or retraction, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
• Unusual discharge

Risk Factors
All women are at risk for breast cancer, particularly those who:

• Are over 50
• Have a family history of breast cancer
• Have a family or personal history of non-cancerous breast disease
• Experienced early onset of menstrual periods or late menopause
• Use oral contraceptives or postmenopausal estrogens
• Haven't had children or had a first child after age 30
• Had chest radiation therapy as a child or young adult
• Consume two or more alcoholic drinks a day
• Have become obese, especially after menopause

Prevention
Breast cancer cannot be prevented. However, the following are ways to lower your risk:

• A mammogram may provide early diagnosis of a cancerous lesion
• Regular physical activity, good nutrition, and certain drugs may lower your risk of getting breast cancer
• It has NOT been proven that a low-fat diet will prevent breast cancer, but it IS known that a low-fat diet decreases the risk of other diseases and cancers
• Abstain or reduce your alcohol intake to one drink a day

For more information on breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1.800.ACS.2345; National Cancer Institute at 1.800.4.CANCER.