Breast Cancer

Despite the fact that breast cancer is one of the leading death causing diseases in the 21th century, people aren’t still properly informed about it’s consequences and about ways to prevent it. Asking yourself a simple question like “What is breast cancer?” is a huge step forward.

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Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant cells are formed in the breast tissue. The breast consists of lobes and ducts. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes, lobes which present smaller sections called lobules. Breast cancer is sometimes found in pregnant women or in case of those who just gave birth, because of the whole series of transformations that took place in their bodies during that period of their lives. Most cases of disease occur around the age of 50 years.

In the past 20 years, cases of disease have greatly increased, and the occurrence of this life threatening disease among young women began to grow. Many cancer specialists consider that the Chernobyl accident may have influenced the spread of the disease. Despite this fact, there is also a bright side to this whole story. Breast cancer is treatable if discovered in an early stage. May women who have battled this disease have won, public examples like Christina Applegate have a huge impact on those who suffer from this disease because she consists a live example and a proof that breast cancer isn’t invincible.

Breast cancer can be seen both in women and men. The risk of breast cancer increases with age:
* This disease is rare in women younger than 35 years
* All women 40 and over 40 years risk the development of breast cancer
* Most cases occur in the cases of women aged over 50 years
* The risk of breast cancer is increased in the case of women over 60 years.

Breast cancer is more common among white women than black, Hispanic or Asian. Although there are cases of breast cancer and in men, 99% of cases occur in women. This type of cancer is often detected, if in an early stage, by a mammogram, before any symptoms have appeared. The most common symptom is a painless breast lump. However, nodules of breast cancer may also be painful.

Symptoms of breast cancer include: - A lump in the breast or armpit appeared recently - Changed size or shape of breast - Modification of the breast skin, such as a fold or a stain - Leaking or bleeding of the nipple - Changes of the nipple, such as retraction or inversion - Crusty nipple - Changes in color or texture of the skin of the breast or the appearance of a darker color around the nipple - A lump in the breast in case of men. For more information on what breast cancer is you can browse the internet of ask for a flyer at your local medical department. Don’t forget to get tested and remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Breast cancer is one of the most spread diseases around the world and it is one of the main causes of death in case of the female population. Despite this, breast cancer information isn’t even half as spread as the actual disease.

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What is breast cancer?  - Every month, together with menstruation, woman’s breasts suffer temporary changes which can include formation of a knot. Although most of these bumps are not cancerous, any lump that occurs should be examined immediately by a doctor.  Nodules occur most frequently in the lobules - small bags that produce milk - or in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple. But sometimes these may form in other tissues as well. The two main categories of breast cancer are lobular and ductal cancer.

Breast cancer  - Breast cancer usually begins with the formation of a small well-defined tumor. Some tumors are benign, meaning the do not invade other tissues, others are malignant, or cancerous. Malignant tumors have the potential to be metastases, which is bound to spread to other organs as well. Once such a tumor reaches a certain size, is more likely to radiate cells and spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system.

Different types of breast cancer grow and spread at different rates, some of them take years to spread beyond the breast, while others spread rapidly.  Men may have breast cancer as well, but their number is less than half a percent of all cases. Among women, breast cancer is the most common cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths - after lung cancer.

Statistics show that of eight women who could reach 85 years, will suffer from this disease at some point of their life. Two thirds of the women with breast cancer are over 50 years, and that the remaining are mostly between 39 and 49.

Breast cancer is treatable  - Fortunately, breast cancer is very treatable if detected early. Localized tumors can usually be successfully treated before the cancer is spread, and in 9 of 10 cases, the sick woman will live at least another 5 years. Experts generally consider that the survival of 5 years is a cure.

After the cancer begins to spread, getting rid of it completely is more difficult, although treatment can often keep the disease under control for years. Thanks to the improved procedures for screening and better treatment options, seven in ten female breast cancer victims will survive more than five years after the initial diagnosis, and half of them will survive more than 10 years. This is just brief breast cancer information, mainly just to give you a general idea of the term, and the main symptoms of this disease. Don’t forget to get tested periodically and remember that it is better to prevent than to treat.

It is proven that a healthy lifestyle helps you reduce the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Lifestyle changes can lead to prevention of breast cancer in one out of ten cases, shows a study done by the United Kingdom Cancer Research. One of the important measures to be taken is to reduce alcohol consumption.

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A woman who drinks alcohol daily increases their risk of developing cancer by 6%. Each year, alcohol is responsible for diagnosing breast cancer in 5% of all women with this condition. However, you don’t have to give up drinking altogether. A moderate consumption reduces cancer risk by 18% and, moreover, helps blood circulation.

Fruits are another way to fight against cancer, claim UK experts. A fat diet increases blood estrogen levels and lead to the formation of cancer cells. Thus, a diet based on fruit reduces by almost 30% the risk of this type of cancer. In Japan, where people mostly eat fish, rice and vegetables, all low in fat, the breast cancer rate is the lowest in the world. If such a diet is associated with at least 30 minutes of movement per day it reduces the risk by up to 50%.

From this perspective, one must know that no movement is responsible for 11% of cases of breast cancer worldwide. Another factor that helps the development of cancer cells is hormone therapy. This therapy, in vogue worldwide, increases the risk of cancer by 63%, say experts. If such treatment is initiated, the patient should do some regular checks. Therefore, avoiding this treatment is strongly recommended. It is better for women to deal with the inconvenience of menopause than to resort to hormonal therapies.

Also, if you constantly go to medical examinations, cancer can be discovered since the early phase. After the age of 40 years, it is recommended that at least every two years, the woman to perform a mammogram. In addition, if you find some changes in the breasts you should refer to a specialist for diagnosis. If it is discovered in early stages, breast cancer can be treated in 90% of the cases. But there is a risk that the analysis detected some anomalies that can easily be confused with cancer. When getting informed about the prevention of breast cancer we should also take into consideration the effects of cosmetics and pollution. British doctors have also found that the most important thing that prevents cancer is birth. The birth of a child, especially before the age of 30 years, prevents the formation of cancer cells.

Each year you delay conceiving a child, the risk increases by 3%. Obesity also increases the risk of breast cancer, but only after menopause. Studies have shown that obese women at menopause are 31% more susceptible to cancer than women with normal weight. Obesity increases risk of other cancers as well, it affects the esophagus, kidney and intestine. Amazingly, stress at work is a beneficial factor. Stress prevents estrogen formation and reduces the likelihood of developing cancer by 40%.

Last but not the least factor that helps prevention of cancer is fresh air. Chemicals used in manufacturing cosmetics, which are found in air polluted cities, have adverse effects on endocrine glands. These chemicals increase blood levels of estrogen and it’s scientifically proven that exposure to them has reduced sperm counts in men. Thus, if you choose to opt out of town and move to the periphery you can prevent somehow breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer that affects women between 40 and 54 years. Many of us are aware of this, but few know that, of all types of cancer, breast cancer affects most severely young women. This means that there is no age at which you can safely consider yourself immune to this disease. Keep in mind that cancer does not discriminate. So, ladies, know that the best weapons against this terrible type of cancer are prevention and awareness.  No matter if you are 30 or 50, you should be vigilant and properly take care of your body.

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Our goal is not to panic you, but to make you understand and realize that breast cancer can happen whether you’re young or old. The major problem in detecting breast cancer in younger women is the fact that by having a higher density of breast tissue, a possible cancerous tumor is more difficult to detect and therefore the disease is in very few cases diagnosed in time. When the tumor is finally discovered, it is usually in an advanced stage, when treatments are no longer effective.

For this reason, older women are more likely to recover and leave the hospitals cancer free. Breast cancer in young women is generally uncommon but the possibility of developing this terrible life threatening disease should not be ignored. Because the disease occurs very rarely in younger women, these women and their doctors have the tendency to ignore nodules or masses detected in benign breast proximity. Even if they become malignant in rare cases, you should know that women with a benign tumor have 60% more chances of developing breast cancer.

It is therefore important to constantly watch them, auto examine your breasts and regularly go to medical consultations. This disease and the recovery, whether it occurs in older women, younger women or event men, it is a matter of awareness. Unfortunately, women are not made aware quite early regarding the risk of developing risk, and so the many cases that occur in young women have awful consequences. Mammograms are recommended for women past 50 years, which is disadvantageous to the rest. However, breast cancers at young ages are more aggressive and respond less well to treatment. We hope this is a reason to get your attention!

You must think positive and also you should keep in mind that breast cancer can be prevented. It is clear and obvious that healthy lifestyle habits can be in our favor and improve our odds. Even if regular mammogram is not recommended before an exam 50 years, this does not mean you should sit with your arms crossed. Breast examination to the gynecologist is recommended annually after age 20 years actually. Also, self-breast examination once a month is desirable to learn which the constitution of your breasts is and to observe any changes. If these occur, immediately go to the doctor! Breast cancer can occur in younger women too.

After diagnosing breast cancer you should expect a series of investigations to detect if cancer cells have spread within the mammary gland or in other parts of the body. The process which determines if the tumor has spread within the mammary gland or in other parts of the body is called breast cancer staging.

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The information obtained following completion of the process will determine the stage of the disease. Knowing the stage of your condition is very important so that you will be able to institute appropriate therapy. This is why we will present a few of the characteristics of every stage.

The first stage is Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ). There are two types of carcinoma in situ ductal carcinoma in situ and lobular carcinoma in situ. Ductal carcinoma in situ is a non-invasive tumor, a precancerous stage in which the proliferation of modified cells lining the superficial layer of the mammary gland.

These modified cells will not spread to the other tissues of the breast. Lobular carcinoma in situ is the stage of the tumor in which cells begin to change in the mammary gland. In rare cases, lobular carcinoma in situ may become an invasive tumor. Stage I is the stage in which the tumor is about 2 centimeters or smaller and does not spread outside the breast. In Stage IIA a tumor is detected in the mammary gland or in the axillary lymph nodes (lymph nodes under the arm).

The tumor can be 2 centimeters or smaller and already spread to the axillary lymph nodes or greater than 2 centimeters but not more than 5 centimeters which has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes. In stage IIB, mammary gland tumor can be more than 2 inches but not longer than 5 centimeters or more than 5 centimeters and in both cases the tumor has spread to the axillary lymph nodes. In stage IIIA the tumor is found in breast, it is detected in the axillary lymph nodes as conglomerate masses, attached to each other or are attached to other structures.

The tumor can also be 5 centimeters or smaller and has probably spread to the lymph nodes are a conglomerate mass. In a more advanced stage, stage IIIB, the tumor can be any size and in this stage the cancer has already spread to the tissues near the breast (skin or chest wall including the ribs and muscle tissue of the chest). It can also spread to the lymph nodes within the breast or under arm. In stage IIIC, the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes near the neck and it can also spread to the lymph nodes within the mammary gland or in the armpit.

In operable stage IIIC, the tumor can be found in the lymph nodes near or in the breasts, while in inoperable stage IIIC, is detected within the lymph nodes and around the neck on the same side as the affected breast. Obviously the last stage is the most serious and dangerous - in stage IV, the tumor spreads to other parts of the body, most often bone, lung, liver or brain. The disease in this stage cannot be treated.

As you know, breast cancer is a complex dangerous disease which untreated can lead to the aggressive death of the patient. If detected in time, it can be treated and cured. Therefore it is important to know the breast cancer staging and how advanced your cancer is. Information about each stage separately and appropriate treatment options is essentially for choosing the right course of action for you.

There is no simple and accurate definition of breast cancer. The word comes from the Greek “karkinos”, which means crustacean. Generally the term cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled growth of one or a group of cells that invade surrounding tissues and can spread (metastasis) at a distance of tissue or body which formed .

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The word cancer means tumor that destroys evolution of local and remote organs of healthy individuals touched by this disease. For pathological histology, cancer is the tissue that infiltrates healthy developed structures. For biologist the term means a change of systems regulating growth and differentiation of normal cells so that they become dangerous breast cancer cells for the remaining cells.

Cancer is the result of disordered cell multiplication. We understand this by researching the processes that occur in normal cells and breast cancer cells. The human body consists of different tissues, each of which is composed of millions of cells. They are arranged in an orderly manner, each part having its own tissue structure and cellular architecture. They are subject to general rules that allow the normal functioning of the whole, of our bodies.

If you ask yourself how you can reduce the risk of breast cancer you must know that the most important thing you should do is to auto examine your breasts monthly. Any change in the tissue should be reported to your doctor. Also schedule once a year a medical examination of the breasts and keep in mind that mammograms are highly recommended (only) when you receive medical indication. It is indicated to stop smoking and the risk will decrease by 30% and also you should exercise regularly, 30 minutes three times a week and choose a diet low in fat. Of course if you are diagnosed with breast cancer there are many treatment options you should consider. If you are a 40 years old woman or even older you may need a mammogram.

AARP American Cancer Society, National Cancer Foundation and other medical organizations recommend an annual mammogram to all women over 35 or 40 years old and also the suggest an annual breast examination by a specialist – oncologist and monthly breast self-examination. Although most of you might think you do not need a mammogram for detecting breast cancer cells, the truth is that most women are recommended to request mammograms when going to their doctors. As we get older the chances of developing breast cancer increases.

In fact, 75% of breast cancers occur in women over 40 years. Regular mammograms are the best defense against this disease. A mammogram can detect breast cancer in early stages, two years and half before it becomes clinically evident. Early detection of breast cancer gives women the greatest chance of survival and the best therapeutic options. So, you need regular mammograms. If you observe changes in the breast, and a swelling, a thickening of the nipple, nipple discharge or pain on palpation, please contact your doctor immediately.

I think we have established the fact that regular examinations will give you significantly more options and they will also protect your health and improve your peace of mind. You should not play with your health so schedule yourself for a test today. The best cure for breast cancer cells is an early detection of the disease.

As you might already know, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is located in the breast and it emerges from uncontrolled multiplication of breast tissue at a spectacular rate. The gravity of this disease and its evolution is still a very common issue and unfortunately it causes numerous victims every year.

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There is no exact cause of the disease, but age and female hormones play a major role in determining breast cancer. Breast cancer in women is most common between 40 and 50 years. The risk of breast cancer in women between 30 and 40 years is about 1 in 250 women, while in the case of women between 40 and 50 years is 1 in 70. If you ask yourself how you can find breast cancer you should know that breast cancer in an early stage, can be easily detected by mammography before any other symptoms appear.

The most common symptom is a painless breast lump. Of course, there are many more signs and symptoms of breast cancer that you should not ignore. For instance, if you present any of the following signs, you should immediately consult a doctor: a lump in the breast or armpit recently appeared, any change in the size or shape of the breast, changes of the skin, such as a wrinkle or a blemish and also any leakage or bleeding from the nipple occurring, changes in the nipple, such as retraction, changes in skin color or texture of the breast, or a darker color around the nipple should be reported.

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age: the disease is rare in women younger than 35 years, all women over 40 years have a greater risk of breast cancer, but most cases occur in women over 60 years. Also breast cancer is more common among white women over the black, Hispanic or Asian. Very important is as well the personal history of breast cancer - Women who have had breast cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing a second or a new cancer.

Breast cancer may recur in the same breast, in the other breast or in other parts of the body such as lung, liver, brain or bones. Family history is another important risk factor - a woman’s risk for breast cancer is increased if the mother, sister, daughter, or two or more close relatives such as cousins have a history of breast cancer, especially if they were diagnosed before the age of 50 years. Women who inherit specific genetic mutations in the BRCA 1 and BRCA2 genes have a much higher risk of breast cancer.

Relatives of breast cancer patients bearing these changes have greater risk of developing breast cancer, colon or ovary. However, there are women who have a family history of breast cancer, but they never had the disease. There are also some other factors that increase the risk of breast cancer in women.

For example, women whose breasts were exposed at young ages to significant amounts of radiation to the breasts, have an increased risk of developing cancer. Older age at the birth of first child should also be taken into consideration. Women who give birth to their first child after the age 30 have an increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who have their first child before 30 years. Studies have shown that women who have a diet high in fat are more susceptible to breast cancer than those with a diet low in fat. Alcohol consumption should be also avoided.

Less than a month from her former lover’s death, the actress Christina Applegate was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer. If the disease is discovered in an early stage, and you take all the tests recommended by your doctor such as a mammogram and an MRI, breast cancer can be safely considered a non life-threatening disease. This was what, according to Yahoo the actress’ spokeswoman stated after the diagnosis. She was certain that, considering all factors, it was safe to assume that the disease will be easily treated and cured in the case of the famous actress.

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The actress under 36 years old was invited to participate in the following month’s episode of the TV show “Stand Up to Cancer” which aims to raise funds for cancer research. The show was broadcasted simultaneously by U.S. television CBS, ABC and NBC. Christina Applegate was one of the actresses who began their career at an early age, but the role that made her famous was Kelly in “Married with Children”.

Throughout her career, the actress won an Emmy in 2003 for the role she had in “Friends”, but still has enough time to evolve more and perform better as an actress and one day, why not, she might even win an Oscar. The actress said in the television program “Good Morning America” that was cured of breast cancer after removing both mammary glands and, currently, is “clean one hundred to one hundred,” according to bbc.co.uk. The actress also told the U.S. ABC television broadcasts that she decided to turn to the radical medical procedure, three weeks before, so that she will not have to go to medical examinations every four months.

“I am healed. Absolutely, 100% are cured and clean. They removed the entire tumor and I certainly will not die of breast cancer,” said Applegate. Star of “Samantha Who?” was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine examination, according to hollywood.com. She is now confident that the treatments which were followed later destroyed all tumors and breast cancer tissue. Christina Applegate revealed the fact that she began to tremble when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, not knowing what to do and who to call. “I was so angry and I remember shaking,” she said.

As I was previously saying, Applegate is known for playing Kelly Bundy in the successful U.S. television series “Married With Children”, so her popularity definitely helped many women and her disease probably made many other women go to a examination. Recently, Christina Applegate was nominated for an Emmy Award for the role in the TV comedy “Samantha Who?”. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for the same role, that of a woman who wakes up after having been in coma for eight days and she actually does not remember anything from the past. The actress participated in many televised shows which aim to raise funds for research on cancer, and in one particular event also took part actresses Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston and Charlize Theron.

Although cancer is a terrible disease, it is not that hard to be treated. Christina Applegate managed to fight the disease with courage and hope and she is now completely cured and she can enjoy life again. It is admirable that she also promoted and raised funds for this cause and so managed to save many more lives.

Why is it important to find out and inform regarding breast cancer statistics? We must point out these grim statistics to understand how effective education in preventing this disease is. Getting thoroughly informed is essential for an early diagnosis and for choosing the right treatment for your type of cancer. It is true that some statistics are in your favor and some might discourage you, but it is still vitally important for making the right decision to get informed and know about them.

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Statistics show that in Europe a new case of breast cancer is diagnosed every 2.5 minutes. In many countries, only 5% of women with breast cancer have been diagnosed in time, which means that chances of survival can be reduced dramatically. In the UK, the number of deaths caused by breast cancer was approximated at 12,470 deaths.

Since then the number of deaths due to breast cancer in women has been increasing from year to year until it reached its peak of 15,600 in 1989. These are absolute numbers, but more important is the evolution of death rates from breast cancer: from 41.6 to 100,000 women in 1989 and 26.7 in 2007. The main reasons for the favorable evolution after 1989 are the methods of treatment and diagnosis. The fast paced evolution of technology and medicine introduced new methods and treatment options.

It is safe to state breast cancer now is diagnosed more quickly, it is significantly more easily treated, and thus the death rate is lower. It is proven that all those who have had breast cancer still have a high risk of relapse of disease after five years of regular therapy. According to a study published in the Journal of The National Cancer Institute (NCI) after five years of full treatment without recurrence of breast cancer, 89% of women belonging to a group of 2838 patients treated during 1985-2001 shown no symptoms of relapse of the disease.

In the same group, 80% of women had also shown no signs of recurrence of breast cancer after one therapy over ten years, explained a professor specialized in breast cancer. After five years of treatment, the risk of breast cancer is around 7% for women who were detected early, approximately 11% if the tumor is in the second stage and 13% in the third stage, according to experts’ estimations. It should also be taken into consideration the tumor type and the fact that using substitute hormonal treatment at menopause and genetic predispositions increase the risks of breast cancer significantly, emphasizes the study’s authors.

If postmenopausal women have options for cancer preventing cancer recurrence, such as tamoxifen, for women at menopause that are not any similar treatment. Researchers need to develop new strategies to significantly reduce the risk of recurrence of breast cancer for women who undergo a period of five years, thus increasing the health of the population.

Women treated with chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or a combination of both types of treatments, have a lower risk of relapse of disease, although there might be side effects of choosing more treatments. So when reading or finding in a magazine something about breast cancer statistics you should ask yourselves about when did you last auto-examined your breasts? When did you have your last gynecological examination?

Preventing breast cancer starts with you developing your own healthy habits such as maintaining an active state, limiting alcohol consumption and of course a healthy diet. It is possible that just a healthy diet, to which are added regular exercises to contribute significantly to breast cancer prevention? Until now, the records say yes.

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Moreover, if these habits are combined with limiting exposure to substances that promote disease, the benefit will be even greater. When it comes to preventing breast cancer there are also a few risk factors that cannot be controlled, such as age and genetic aspects but whether you present risk factors or not it is still extremely important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The easiest things that can be made are controlled diet and maintaining a constant physical activity. You should know that there is a direct link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer and other diseases. How strong is it now remains to be determined through specialized studies. Regardless of what type of alcohol you drink if you really want to protect your breasts, it is good that you limit the alcohol amount to less than one cup a day or avoid alcohol completely.

According to researchers, between obesity, weight and breast cancer there was no obvious connection, but more recently specialists came to the conclusion that the production of estrogen in the fat tissue may be the link between obesity and high risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise helps maintain a normal body weight and, consequently, may help prevent breast cancer. Ideal is that every day to practice at least 30 minutes of exercise.

If a person is not accustomed to practicing regular exercise is recommended for a program on multiple stages, starting with mild exercises and getting that intense exercise. Exercises are recommended such as walking, jogging or aerobic. An extra benefit provided by physical exercise is maintaining healthy bones. There are studies that proved the link between the use of contraceptives and the risk of breast cancer. However, it should be mentioned that the contraceptive pills used in these studies contained high amounts of estrogen, unlike today recommended contraceptives.

Also, according to results of former studies of contraceptive administration for more than 4 years, before having the first pregnancy increases the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. However, experts who have reviewed all the risk data estimate that the use of contraceptive pill cause more than 4.7 in 10,000 cases of breast cancer. To understand how you can successfully prevent breast cancer, at least improve your odds you should also avoid exposure to pesticides and excessive use of antibiotics.

Molecular structure of pesticides resembles that of estrogen, which means that pesticides may attach to estrogen receptors in the body. There has been also found a link between use of antibiotics and breast cancer – if the treatments you use are more numerous, there is a greater risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer and its prevention are definitely subjects that should be of great interest for all women and not only .Besides lifestyle changes, it is important for women to be vigilant in detecting early breast cancer. If you happen to notice any changes, such as the appearance of bumps or skin changes, you should consult your doctor. This may suggest performing a mammography or other screening procedure to detect breast cancer. No preventive measures can guarantee a woman that she will never suffer from cancer in her life, but adopting a healthy lifestyle and a regular medical consultation may reduce the risk of any potentially fatal disease.