Anyone who experiences symptoms of breast cancer should visit their primary care physician right away. Behind skin cancer, breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women. It’s estimated that one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Fortunately, survival rates are climbing. The most important factor in surviving breast cancer is catching it early, which is why October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Understanding the symptoms associated with breast cancer is vital to catch it in time. By doing self-checks and getting regular screenings, you may be able to identify breast cancer in its initial stages, making it easier to treat and survive. With that in mind, the following are some of the common symptoms of breast cancer:

• A lump that has formed near the breast or the underarm.
• A lump that can be as small as a pea on the breast.
• The skin around the breast or nipple turns a reddish color.
• The skin on the breast or nipple becomes inflamed, scaly, puckered, or dimpled.
• An area under the skin of the breast becomes hardened.
• An area of the breast becomes different in color, texture, or feel than the rest of the breast.
• There’s a discharge from the nipple that’s either clear or blood-stained.

Facts About Breast Cancer

The following are a few breast cancer facts you should know:

• When breast cancer is diagnosed in the localized stage (beginning stage), there is a 5-year survival rate of 99%.
• 63% of all breast cancer cases in the U.S. are identified during the localized stage.
• There are more than 3.8 million U.S. breast cancer survivors.
• A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer an average of every two minutes in the U.S.

Schedule a Breast Cancer Screening Today

If you notice any potential symptoms of breast cancer, then make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor in California as soon as possible. For more information about breast cancer awareness or about cancer in general, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.