Breast cancer affects millions of women around the world and is a number one killer when it comes to cancer in general. It is extremely important for women over 40 to have regular mammograms. There are many risks involved when it comes to breast cancer and they include age, personal factors, and genes. If you are overweight, taking birth control, drinking alcohol too much, or are taking hormone replacements, there is a risk of breast cancer.

Symptoms of breast cancer can include breast lumps, nipple discharge, and changes in the breast size. Breast cancer awareness is very important when it comes to detecting breast cancer earlier. By having regular mammograms and performing self examinations, women can find out what stage of cancer they may have and treat it earlier with chemotherapy. By detecting the signs of breast cancer early, you can save your life or the life of someone you love.

There are very specific treatments for breast cancer and they include:

•    Radiation therapy is a beneficial treatment because it can destroy the cancer cells from multiplying and decrease the chances of it the breast cancer by ever coming back. This therapy does not have as many side affects as other treatments.

•    Chemotherapy can help the disease of breast cancer and can help kill the cancer cells within the body. It includes the taking of chemotherapy drugs to stop the cells from spreading through out the body. Hair loss is a major side effect of breast cancer chemotherapy.

•    A mastectomy might have to be performed to rid the body of breast cancer. A mastectomy is when one or both of the women’s breasts are removed.

•    Lumpectomy surgery is one of the most common breast cancer treatments performed when a person is suffering from breast cancer. This is the procedure when a surgeon only removes the tissue and tumor within the breast.

•    There is also hormonal therapy for breast cancer and this is not to be confused with HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). It is a medication that fights against the hormone receptors.

There is breast cancer awareness around the world as women from all parts of the world can be affected. October is breast cancer awareness month and there are celebrations, sponsored events, and breast cancer marathons held to fight against cancer. The most known breast cancer fact is that it can be experienced by women earlier than other major diseases and the risk increases with age.

The causes of breast cancer can include:

•    Breast cancer may be carried through the family genetics. Breast cancer can be passed down through grandmas and mothers, to their daughters.
•    After the age of 50 women tend to become more at risk for the disease.
•    Women who have never had children are at risk.
•    Women who have their first child after 30 can also be at risk.
•    Women who are over 55 and experience menopause can be at a higher risk than others.
•    If an adolescent girl has her period before age 11 she might be at risk and should be watched for signs of breast cancer.