She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, had a lumpectomy to remove a small cancerous growth in her breast, underwent radiation treatment and is currently cancer-free. I put it off one year, and my doctor found the lump when I was in her office for treatment for flu. The disease begins as a tiny, unusual growth in the breast and if not treated early can spread to other parts of the body. Finding cancer late means less of a chance for successful treatment, while early detection provides the best opportunity to treat breast cancer successfully. A diagnosis often does not mean removal of the breast.
Women have an arsenal of ways to increase their chances of detecting and surviving breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute recommend regular mammograms beginning at age 40. Second, a woman should have an examination once a year by a physician or health care provider. And third, a woman should do a breast self-examination and check for abnormalities each month. If she finds a lump or notices a change in the skin or nipple or has nipple discharge, she should report it to her physician promptly. A woman also should let her doctor know if there has been any breast cancer in her family.