Directly you hear the word â??breast cancerâ??, the picture of a female patient is conjured up. This disease is not confined to females. Though rare, males can also contract this type of cancer. Breast cancer, which is the 2nd most widespread form of cancer globally, develops in the tissues of the breast in men and women.

The first sign of breast cancer is a lump or a mass in the underarm or breast area that feels different to the touch. Apart from that, signs of enlargement of the breast or part of it, change in the form and size of the breast, skin inflammation or dimpling, turning inward of the nipple and flow of fluid other than milk from the breast. It pays to be cognizant of these signs for early detection of cancer.

the best action to take as soon as you see initial signs of breast cancer, visit a physician. The physician will check your breast for any suspicious growth or lump. Harmless growth feel differently from harmful cancer-causing lumps. Any doubts with regard to his examination will be sorted out with the help of tests such as MRI scan, mammography test, ultrasound scan or a biopsy. Provided that you are tested positive, he will order more lab tests so that they will assist him in learning more about your disease and its course of therapy.

There are several treatment methods as regards breast cancer. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and biological therapy are such treatments. Out of these, surgery and radiation are local therapies. The others are systemic therapies. Local therapies get rid of or kill the cancer in the breast where as systemic treatments go into the blood circulation and check or kill the cancer.

Breast cancer is related to various risk factors. If you are a female, the chances of contracting this disease is great as a femaleâ??s breast cells are open to hormones like estrogen and progesterone at all times. As you grow old, the risks grow too. If someone in your family has had breast cancer, you are more at risk than those who do not have a significant family history.

Breast cancer is supposed to be the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the world. You can imagine the seriousness of the problem. However, itâ??s comforting to know that billions of dollars are spent yearly on research work to find out the causes and treatments of it.