October is breast cancer awareness month. As 1 out of 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer it is important to be aware of the signs and symptomsforearlydetection. Not only can breast cancer occur in women but men as well, although it is rare with a majority of men being diagnosed over the age of 50. Mammogramsandselfbreast examination are key to early detection of lumps or swelling within the breast tissue. Currently there is no preventional treatment for breast cancer so early detection can be crucial in treatment and recovery. The exact cause of breast cancer is when cells in the breast tissue begin to grow abnormally. This is when the cells begin to divide at a faster rate than healthy cells, accumulating, forming a lump or mass, according to the Mayo Clinic's website. https://www.mayoclinic. org/diseases-conditions/ breast-cancer/symptomscauses/
There are risk factors involved that may increase the risk of breast cancer, such as lifestyle, environmental, hormonal, and hereditary factors. Doctors estimate that 5 out of 10 breast cancers are linked to mutated genes passed through generations of family. However, not everyone that has the mutated gene will develop breast cancer.
There are several types of breast cancer and the symptoms can be very similar.
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include: A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling A newly inverted nipple Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin.
Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange Breast cancer for men is usually first detected as a lump under the areola or breast skin. According to the website for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. https://www.nationalbreastcancer. org/malebreast-
higher mortality rate than women due to lack of awareness and early detection.