Health beat: Breast cancer awareness

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

When breast cancer starts out, it is too small to feel and does not cause signs and symptoms. As it grows, breast cancer can cause changes in how the breast looks or feels. Symptoms may include:

* New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).

* Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.

* Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.

* Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.

* Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

* Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.

* Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.

* Pain in any area of the breast.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Doctors use a mammogram to look for early signs of breast cancer. Having mammograms regularly can lower your risk of dying from breast cancer. If you are 50 to 74 years old, be sure to have a screening mammogram every two years. If you are 40 to 49 years old, talk to your doctor about when and how often you should have a screening mammogram.

Why should I have a mammogram?

Regular mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. When their breast cancer is found early, many women go on to live long and healthy lives.

Where can I go to get screened?

Most likely, you can get screened for breast cancer at a clinic, hospital or doctor's office. If you want to be screened for breast cancer, call your doctor's office. They can help you schedule an appointment. Most health insurance companies pay for the cost of breast cancer screening tests.

If you are worried about the cost, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost mammograms. Find out if you qualify at cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm.

How can I lower my risk of breast cancer?

* Control your weight and exercise.

* Know your family history of breast cancer. If you have a parent, sibling, son or daughter with breast cancer, ask your doctor about your risk of getting breast cancer and how you can lower your risk.

* Find out the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy.

* Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Can men get breast cancer?

Men also can get breast cancer, but it is not very common. For every 100 cases of breast cancer, less than 1 is in men.

How many people get breast cancer each year?

In 2009 (the most recent year numbers are available):

211,731 women and 2,001 men in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer.*†

40,676 women and 400 men in the United States died from breast cancer.*†

*Incidence counts cover approximately 90 percent of the U.S. population; death counts cover approximately 100 percent of the U.S. population. Use caution when comparing incidence and death counts.

†Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2009 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2013. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.

Health Beat is a weekly spotlight on a wide range of health issues. The information contained here was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. View the CDC features online at www.cdc.gov/features.