Symptoms
The most common symptom that could lead to breast cancer.
What is a new lump or mass?
Age related risk factor.
What is "increases with age?" Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50. (Per the CDC).
X-Ray of the breast
What is a Mammogram?
Most common treatment for breast cancer (stages I, II, or II)
Risk factors to avoid
What are:
Visible symptoms
What is breast skin that looks red, dry, flaky, thickened or like an orange peel (skin dimpling)?
Physical risk factor
What is having dense breasts?
Dense breasts can sometimes make it hard to see tumors on a mammogram. Women with dense breasts are also more likely to get breast cancer. (CDC)
High-energy sound waves are bounded off internal tissues/organs to make echoes.
What is an Ultrasound?
Cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells.
What is radiation therapy?
Protective factors against breast cancer.
What are: (any of the following)
What is "an inward turning nipple?"
Main factor influencing the possibility of getting breast cancer
What is aging? (Some women will get breast cancer older than 50, even without all the other risk factors. per the CDC).
starting menstrual cycles before age 12; starting menopause after age 55? (Exposes women to hormones longer, raising that risk of getting breast cancer. Per the CDC).
Procedure that uses magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of the breasts.
What is a MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)?
Drug used to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or stopping them from dividing.
What is chemotherapy (Chemo)?
Chemotherapy for breast cancer is usually systemic, meaning it is injected into a vein or given by mouth. When given this way, the drugs enter the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body.
Unknown risk factors for breast cancer
What is:
What are lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone?
Previous treatments that may be a risk for breast cancer.
What is previous radiation therapy? (Example is for Hodgkin's Lymphoma before age 30, any other radiation therapy in the chest or breasts increases risk. per the CDC).
Removal of cell or tissues to be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer
What is a biopsy?
Slows or stops the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors by blocking the body’s ability to produce hormones or by interfering with the effects of hormones on breast cancer cells.
What is hormone or endocrine therapy?
Genetic options
What is genetic marker testing?
What is overall breast or nipple pain?
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
What is drug exposure?
DES was given to some pregnant women in the United States between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage. Women who took DES have a higher risk of getting breast cancer. Women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them also may have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
An exam of the breast by a doctor or health professional.
Clinical Breast Exam (CBE).
The doctor will carefully feel the breasts and under the arms for lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
Helping the immune system fight the cancer.
What is immunotherapy?
Immune checkpoint inhibitors block proteins called checkpoints that are made by some types of immune system cells, such as T cells, and some cancer cells. These checkpoints help keep immune responses from being too strong and sometimes can keep T cells from killing cancer cells. When these checkpoints are blocked, T cells can kill cancer cells better. Immune checkpoint inhibitors used to treat breast cancer include:
This drug works in more than one way to kill cancer cells. It is also considered targeted therapy because it targets specific changes or substances in cancer cells.
Detection without a professional
What are regular personal breast exams?
The best time to perform a self-exam for breast awareness is usually the week after your period ends.