Have you noticed a lump or thickening in your breast? Do you find your breast size uneven? Do your nipples appear retracted or inverted? Are you worried that you might have breast cancer?

The second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S among women is breast cancer, the first being lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, only about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary in nature. It is estimated that about 75 percent of breast cancers occur in women who do not even possess the risk factors. Breast cancer is also seen in men but this occurrence is often rare.

Breast cancer is a malignancy that starts as a single abnormal cell that duplicates itself beyond control. Breast cancer frequently develops in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple. This can also form in the milk producing small sac of the breast. Breast cancer can exhibit either a slow growth or a quick and aggressive growth that can spread to nearby lymph nodes or even to more distant areas.

In order to provide early treatment, it is important to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

1. A person with breast cancer usually finds a thickening or a lump around her breast or armpit area.

2. The nipple often exhibits an inverted or retracted appearance.

3. Those who are suffering from breast cancer may find changes in their breast including a change in size, contour and color.

4. A clear or bloody discharge may appear in the nipple.

5. The breast skin will show pitting or dimpling which resembles the skin of an orange.

Without any doubt, finding any of the above signs and symptoms will be very frightening to any one of us. Breast cancer is undoubtedly one of women's most dreaded illnesses.

Breast cancers treated during the early stage promise more than 95 percent success rate. The treatment procedures for breast cancers depend on a variety of factors which include the following:

1. The age, weight and general health of the patient.

2. The type and the development stage of cancer.

3. The characteristics of cancer cells.

4. The involvement of the other breast.

Even the menopausal status of the patient will also affect the type of treatment that will be provided. A combination of surgery is typically the treatment plan involved in breast cancer cases. These surgical procedures can include lumpectomy or the removal of only the lump, mastectomy or the removal of the entire breast, lymph node removal, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. Hormone therapy is often administered with the drug tamoxifen which may prevent the recurrence of the cancer cells.

A patient has a higher chance of recovery if breast cancer is discovered early and proper treatment administered immediately. Therefore it is important especially for women to perform a routine self-examination to determine if any suspicious growth or lump is developing along the breast and armpit area.

Myth: Breast cancer is primarily a genetic disorder.

Only 5 percent to 10 percent of breast cancer is owing to abnormal genes. The two genes, Breast Cancer Gene 1 (BRCA 1) and Breast Cancer Gene 2 (BRCA2) are thought to be those that increase the risk of breast cancer. However, the percentage of breast cancer cases in relation to BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutated genes is only 5%. It must be noted that this is only one of the risk factors when considering breast cancer. The other risk factors being age, high fat content diet and obesity, to name a few.

Myth: Radiation therapy causes a person to be radioactive.

Only in certain instances do you become radioactive when you receive radiation internally as a "boost". This is because the radioactive material is within you but while you receive this treatment, you generally will be in a private room in the hospital. If you receive radiation therapy externally this in no way makes you radioactive.

Myth: In early breast cancer detection, mammography is 100% accurate.

Nearly 85 to 90 percent of all breast cancers are detected by mammography, but a small percentage of breast cancers do go undetected by mammography. These go undetected sometimes because the irregular tissue and the surrounding breast tissue are of the same density. Therefore, if a patient has a lump in her breast or has any other change in her breast and also the mammogram gives a negative reading it is always best to continue to pursue the matter.

Myth: It is not necessary for women who are older and diagnosed with breast cancer to undergo "full" treatment.

The mortality rate of older women who have breast cancer is on the increase because of the fact that they do not receive the full treatment at the time they are diagnosed. Even though breast cancer is supposed to have a slow growth rate, some can be aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body.

Myth: Breast self-examination is best practiced in the shower.

It may be carried out in the shower, but it may not be the best of places to so as wet soapy hands may make it difficult to judge properly any abnormalities. Cold water or air too may cause the breasts and the nipples to contract. Breast self examination should be carried out monthly in three positions, that is standing up, lying down and upright in front of the mirror.

Myth: A woman's risk of developing breast cancer is increased by fibrocystic change.

Fibrocystic change is a breast condition, which is non-cancerous and has no risk whatsoever of increasing breast cancer. In some cases, however, this condition can cause detection with mammography a bit difficult because in fibrocystic breasts the breast density may tend to eclipse the breast cancer on a mammogram. It is therefore very important that breast self-examination as well as clinical breast examination is carried out. If cancer is suspected in these conditions, an ultra sound scan is also carried out.

Myth: A woman will definitely develop breast cancer if she is diagnosed with Lobular Carcinoma in situ.

Lobular Carcinoma in situ or lobular neoplasm is a stage 0 cancer, which most doctors do not consider to be a cancer. However, it might be an indication that an individual is at high risk and women with lobular neoplasm are more likely to develop breast cancer later on in their lives.

Myth: Radiation therapy increases the chances of the breast cancer spreading.

Radiation therapy is done with the intention of reducing the spread of the cancer. Therefore, if you have cancer in one breast and if you go for radiation therapy for it, the chance of it spreading to the other breast does not exist. However, teenage girls who receive chest radiation for Hodgkin's disease do run the risk of developing breast cancer because newly developing breasts are vulnerable to damage by radiation.

Myth: A mammogram will prevent breast cancer.

Mammograms are only used as a means of detection; whether or not you have a malignancy, it will in no way prevent you from getting one. If the malignancy is detected at an early stage by mammography, the chances of it being cured are very good. Mammography is the only possible means of detecting a malignancy in women who do not have an evident physical signs, that is, a lump in the breast. It is recommended that women over 40 years of age have a mammogram every year.

Myth: Breast feeding gives rise to breast cancer.

This is not so. Studies have shown that breast feeding may actually decrease the chances of a woman getting breast cancer. This is not confirmed data however. Women who breast feed can certainly get breast cancer but breast feeding is definitely not a cause of getting it.

Myth: Mammograms are dangerous and breast cancer can spread by having one done.

Mammograms are actually x-rays of the breast using very low levels of radiation of about 0.1 to 0.2 rad dose per x-ray. It is best if you speak with your physician who will answer all the question you will need to ask.

Myth: Wearing bras with under-wire can cause breast cancer.

What is suggested is that by wearing bras with the under-wire it can cause constriction of the body's lymph node system and thereby resulting in breast cancer. This is completely false.

Myth: An injury to the breast can be the cause of breast cancer.

As a result of an injury, you will not develop breast cancer; you can however develop a non cancerous lump owing to an injury.

Myth: Nipple discharge indicates breast cancer.

Most of the nipple discharges are not an indication of a cancerous condition.

A watery or a bloody nipple discharge is said to be abnormal, of which, only about 10 percent are considered cancerous. Most of the bloody discharges are owing to papillomas, which are non-cancerous. If the discharge is milky, green, yellow or clear it is not cancerous. However if a woman has a nipple discharge about which she is concerned then she should consult her physician who will then probably do a clinical examination. Some nipple discharges that should be further examined are if they are persistent, if it appears without even having to squeeze the nipple, if it is some other fluid other than breast milk, if it is from one breast only, bloody or watery with a brown, red or pink coloration and if it is sticky and clear in color or black or brown.

Myth: A woman who has been cancer earlier should not get pregnant.

There is much metabolic and hormonal change occurring when a woman gets pregnant. Studies have shown that this does not cause any significant risk of breast cancer recurring.

Myth: Breast cancer can be got by coming into contact with an individual who already has it, that is, it is contagious.

This is absolutely false. Cancer is formed by the abnormal multiplication of cells and changes that occur in one woman's cells cannot affect the cells of another woman. The common risk factors of breast cancer are age, obesity, high fat content diet, family history, if menstruation begins at an early age, if menstruation continues beyond the age of 50, if a previous breast biopsy shows benign conditions, mutations of the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 and not having children.

Myth: If only your mother's family has a history of breast cancer, it can affect your risk.

This is not so. You could be at risk equally if either your mother's or father's family has had a history of breast cancer. Your compliment of genes come equally, that is, half from your mother and half from your father. If a man and a woman have a similar breast cancer gene abnormality, the likelihood of the woman developing breast cancer is more than when compared with the man. Therefore in order to follow your father's family history, you have to take into account the women on your father's side and rather than the men.

Myth: You have been cured of breast cancer if you are cancer free five years after you have been diagnosed.

Being free of some cancers five years after you have been diagnosed does imply a cure, but it is not the case in breast cancer. The chances of it recurring is greatest in the first two years after it has been diagnose, but it can and does recur at any time after the initial diagnosis, that is, it can occur even after 2 or 3 or even 10 years after initial diagnosis.

Myth: You will lose your hair when you undergo radiation therapy.

You will not lose the hair on your head, but you may lose the hair on your nipple and the hair in your armpit next to the breast that is undergoing the radiation. This is only temporary and will grow back. Radiation therapy is focused directly on the tissue of the breast and sometimes on the nearby lymph nodes. You will lose your hair on your head only if the radiation is targeted at your head.

Myth: If you detect a painful lump in your breast, there is no need for concern, as it is not cancerous.

Pain is very rarely the only indication of breast cancer. However only 10 percent of breast cancers are linked with pain. If an individual complains of pain in the breast and a self-examination test and a mammogram do not show any abnormality the likelihood of breast cancer is minimal.

Myth: Radiation therapy is a painful process.

A few patients experience a slight tingling or warming sensation in the particular area that is being treated but there is no pain. Prolonged radiation therapy may cause the breast to have a burning sensation, to become dry, to become sore and itchy.

Myth: One in every eight women will get breast cancer.

These statistics are based over an individual's lifetime up to an age of eighty five or ninety five and not on a per year estimate. If you take into account at any given point one woman in every eight women, it does not mean that she will have breast cancer. What it means is that if all women were to live up to an age of 85 years, one woman out of eight would get the disease during her life. Studies have shown that this rate is quickly rising, as thirty years ago it was one woman in every twenty women.

Myth: Women with small breasts will not get cancer.

Breast size is not a significant risk factor for breast cancer. A woman having smaller breasts will have smaller amount of breast tissue, but this does not mean that she will not be able to develop the disease.

Myth: If you are diagnosed with breast cancer and you have a positive outlook on life it will prolong your life.

There is no such evidence to prove that having a positive outlook on life will increase your chances of survival if you are having breast cancer. Of course thinking positive will help you and your family members to cope better with the situation, but then again feeling sad or depressed from time to time is only natural in the light of things.

Myth: Mastectomy or removal of the breast that is affected ensures the elimination of breast cancer forever.

Mastectomy does not in any way ensure that the cancer will not recur. Sometimes even though mastectomy has been performed, the chances are there that the cancer may have spread to other parts of the body and to the lymph nodes. Some individuals who have undergone mastectomy also undergo removal of the lymph nodes in the underarm as a precautionary method.

Myth: The chances are you will not get breast cancer if it doesn't run in your family.

This is not the case, every woman is at risk. Studies have shown that 80 percent of women who end up with breast cancer have never had a family history of it. The ageing process is the single biggest risk factor of breast cancer. Women with a family history of breast cancer, the chances that you might get the disease may be a little elevated or may be a lot elevated or sometimes not at all.

Myth: Coffee drinkers have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

This is not so, in fact research has shown that coffee may actually prevent cancer. It was once believed that caffeine which is present in coffee caused a fibrocystic breast condition, a non cancerous condition which has symptoms of tenderness, pain, lumpiness and cysts in the breasts.

Myth: Nausea and vomiting occurs when you undergo radiation therapy.

Nausea and vomiting does not occur when you undergo radiation therapy for breast cancer.

Myth: Breast cancer is always expressed in the form of a lump.

Whilst a lump in the breast is a certain sign of breast cancer, not all individuals who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a lump that is noticeable. It is very important therefore, for every woman over the age of 40 years to perform a monthly breast self-examination and while doing so check for the following:

If there is any swelling or thickening of the breast.

If there are any hard knots or new lumps in the armpit or breast.

If there is any change in the symmetry, size or shape of the breast.

If there is any thickening or any lump that does not reduce after the next period.

If there is any scaliness or redness of the breast skin or nipple.

If there is a nipple discharge especially if it is a spontaneous discharge, is clear and sticky, bloody or dark.

If there is any indention, puckering or dimpling in the breast.

If there is any skin irritation, dimpling or any other change in the skin of the breast or nipple. If there is any pain or tenderness in the nipple.

If the nipple is pointing in a new direction or drawing or turning inward.

Or any other change in the breast which may be a cause for concern.

If any of the above changes do occur it is best that a clinical examination is done. However, having any of theses changes does not necessarily mean that the individual has breast cancer. Some individuals also develop breast cancer without any symptoms and it can only be detected by a mammogram. Therefore it is recommended that a mammogram be carried out every year for woman 40 years and above as early detection is the key to successful treatment and survival.

Myth: A woman diagnosed with breast cancer will eventually lose her breast.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer will at sometime have to undergo surgery, which is part of the treatment. The treatment would generally depend on how far the cancer has spread. If the cancer is detected in the early stages Lumpectomy, which is the removal of the lump and surrounding amount of normal tissue followed by radiation therapy is the most common type of treatment today. Some may have to undergo mastectomy, which is the removal of the affected breast. Drugs, that is, anticancer drugs are also used to shrink the size of the breast tumor in order that the patient would only have to undergo lumpectomy instead of mastectomy. It all depends on the individual case and what treatment is best for them.

One risk factor for breast cancer is hormone stimulation. One way to stimulate hormones is hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy was a popular treatment for women going through menopause. It was used to control the mood swings and other menopause symptoms. The hormone commonly being replaced was estrogen, with progesterone sometimes being used as well. The greatest risk comes from using a combination of progesterone and estrogen.

One other way for hormone stimulation is an uncontrollable factor, the age a woman begins menstruation and menopause. If a girl starts menstruation before 12, or a woman starts menopause before age 55, she will have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. There are ways to decrease that risk though. If a woman has a full-term pregnancy (38 to 40 weeks) before the age of 30 that may decrease her risk. Also, if a woman breast feeds her infant for at least 12 months or breast feeds several children, her risk may also be reduced.

Medication can also be used to prevent breast cancer. Tamoxifen is the most commonly used and others are being researched right now for their potential use in preventing breast cancer. Tamoxifen is often prescribed to women who have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, either because of genetic factors or other risk factors. This medication works by blocking how estrogen affects the cells in your breast. There are several serious risks associated with tamoxifen use however. These include an increased risk of uterine cancer, stroke and blood clots in the legs or lungs. You need to see your doctor immediately if you develop any symptom of these side effects.

Some women may choose to surgically remove their breasts in order to prevent breast cancer. This is called a preventive mastectomy. This is usually done by women who have a strong family history of breast cancer, as in several women (usually a woman's mother, sisters and/or aunts) in the family have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This surgery reduces the risk of breast cancer by as much as 90%.

Another type of surgery that may be performed to reduce the risk of breast cancer is a prophylactic oophorectomy, or elective surgery to remove the ovaries. This helps reduce the risk of breast cancer because the hormones produced by the ovaries increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. The genetic mutations that increase breast cancer risk may also increase a woman's chances of developing ovarian cancer. By removing her ovaries, a woman can dramatically decrease her chances of developing either type of cancer.

A woman's choice of foods and lifestyle may increase her risk of breast cancer. There seems to be a connection between obesity and breast cancer. Some studies have shown that obese women have a higher chance of developing breast cancer because of an increased amount of estrogen in their systems. Another study has shown that women who regularly eat high-fat foods have an increased risk of dying from breast cancer, not just developing it, compared to women from the same population that eat low-fat foods. These two studies suggest that an exercise program and a low-fat diet may decrease your chances of developing breast cancer. One lifestyle choice that may increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer is alcohol drinking. Studies have shown that drinking alcohol may slightly increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. This does not mean that every woman who had a drink to celebrate her birthday or job promotion is at greater risk of cancer. The study suggested that current drinking had more of an impact on the risk than drinking as a young adult.

Myth: People who are at high risk of breast cancer cannot do anything about it.

This is not true. There are many ways in which to reduce but not eliminate the risk of a high risk individual. These would include changing ones lifestyle by exercising regularly, not smoking, not consuming or minimizing the intake of alcohol, by taking medication and also in extreme cases by undergoing surgery.

Myth: Breast cancer can be caused by antiperspirants.

This has no truth whatsoever. There is no direct connection between the active ingredient in the antiperspirant and the occurrence of breast cancer. It is believed by some that the use of antiperspirants block the body's toxins from being released with perspiration as antiperspirants causes the individual not to perspire. These trapped toxins then, it is believed, are deposited in the lymph nodes which are located below the arms and thereby causes breast cancer. Perspiration is made up of 99.9% of potassium, water, magnesium and sodium and no toxins whatsoever.

Myth: Breast cancer is caused by stress.

This is not so. Research shows no evidence that stressed or anxious people are more likely to get cancer when compared to people who are of a more relaxed disposition.

Myth: Consuming foods high in fat causes breast cancer.

This is not so as several in-dept studies have been unable to find a connection between high risk of breast cancer and consuming high fat content food. However, research is still being done to shed light on this issue. However it is always healthier if we can avoid high fat containing foods, thereby regulating our weight, as being overweight is another risk factor for breast cancer, as when an individual is overweight the extra fat causes an increased production of the hormone estrogen.

Myth: The best way to diagnose breast cancer is by monthly breast self examination.

This is not so. The use of mammography is the best and most reliable method of diagnosing breast cancer. Breast cancer diagnosis by mammography can be detected earlier than by self examination as the smaller size of the cancer that would be detected by mammography cannot be detected by self examination of the breast. Early detection would mean that it has a better chance of being cured.

Myth: Only older women are affected by breast cancer.

It is a fact that as a woman's age increases the risks of getting breast cancer too increase but breast cancer is not confined to older women only, a woman of any age can get the disease. From birth until the age of 39 < 0.5 % of women are at risk, that is, every one woman in 231. 4% are at risk in the 40 - 59 age groups, that is, one woman in 25. About 7% are at risk in the 60 - 79 age groups, that is, one woman in 15. The risk of getting breast cancer when considering the entire lifetime (that is if you live to about 90 years of age) of an individual is 14.3%, that is, one in 7.