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If you have a history
of cancer in your family, you'll want to learn
more about prevention cancer. There
are over two hundred different types of cancer
but the most common one for women is breast
cancer. The lifetime probability of a woman
developing breast cancer is 1 in 9. The good
news is that it is possible for women to protect
themselves from breast cancer. When breast cancer
is discovered and treated early, the chances
for recovery are better.
Every woman should know their own breasts so
that any changes are noticed soon and can be
reported to a physician. Knowing your breasts
includes having a mammogram every two years
if you are between the ages of 50 and 69 and
getting a clinical breast exam by a doctor or
trained health professional at least every two
years from the age of 40. Regardless of age,
all women should do their own monthly breast
self-examination a few days after her period.
When doing breast self-examination, things to
look for include: puckering of the skin, the
appearance of what is sometimes called 'orange
peel skin', any place in your breasts that feels
lumpy or harder than the rest and bleeding from
the nipples or crusting.
It is important to note that most breast problems
are not breast cancer and most lumps are not
cancerous. When a lump is not cancerous it is
referred to as 'benign'. A cancerous lump is
called 'malignant'.
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