Breast cancer happens in women with frightening frequency; it is actually the second after skin cancer according to the latest statistics. It is actually one woman out of nine who is affected. Western Europe and North America are reported recently to have more and more cases of the illness. It kills 77,000 people annually and 40% of them are women under 65.

At the present moment there is no actual cause identified for the condition and no real treatment. However if the condition is discovered at an early stage there is a chance of successful treatment first with surgery and then by radio therapy. It can not be considered as a complete cure but at least will prolong the life expectancy up to 5 years.

In order to prevent the condition and detect it at early stages the following measures should be taken:

• First of all clinical exam of the breast is necessary for women between 20 and 40 years at least once in 3 years. The women older than 40 require examination once a year.
• Another important procedure is mammography. It represents a radiological exam of the breast that contains a little dose of X-rays. It is recommended for women over 40 and is considered highly beneficial in their case. In general women should check any suspicions they have on the account of their breast condition. The earlier the condition is investigated the easier it is to treat.
• There is also such a method of early breast cancer detection – the auto examination of the breast. It is usually carried out 10 days after the menstruation for sake of the more accurate results. Nowadays internet provides with plenty of information concerning auto examination techniques and the condition itself.

There are certain symptoms that can be predecessors of breast cancer. Axillary’s tumor mass, or a tumor mass located in the breast is the first symptom. Also a thicker area of the breast if compared to the area around it. If your breasts have changed shape or size it is also something to worry about. Pains in the mammilla and any secretion that is not milk, also wrinkles, depressions, or red breast skin – should be a reason for a serious check-up.

The most probable causes for breast cancer are the following: sex, age, genetic risk, family history of the illness, early age radiological examinations, normal substitution therapy, biopsies, alcohol abuse, and excessive weight.

The following risk factors can be differentiated: early menstruation, also absence of birth or a late first pregnancy (that is after 35), and late menopause as well refer to personal risk factors. There are also genetic ones and they are the following: family history and the presence of other genetic factors.

It is also important to know that not all changes in your breast necessarily mean cancer and if yes, still 80 % are benign. Remember that a risk of having the condition increases with age; it is even greater provided you have crossed the line of 70. Family history of breast cancer is a triggering factor as well as not – in plenty of case it is not to be the case. It is essential to diagnose the condition at an early stage as the chances to eliminate it are higher then.