Breast Cancer Cheat Sheet

In the United States, there are more than 207,000 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Risk factors and symptoms may include:

Risk Factors:

  • Age (Risk begins to increase at age 40 and is highest in women over age 70)
  • I am a woman
  • There is a history of breast cancer in my family
  • I have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
  • I have high breast density
  • I have a long menstrual history (menstrual periods that start early and/or end late in life)
  • I have not had children or had them later in life
  • I am overweight or obese
  • I drink two or more alcoholic beverages daily
  • I don’t exercise regularly
  • Postmenopause, I used estrogen and progestin hormones

Warning Symptoms:

  • Abnormality detected on a mammogram
  • A lump under the arm, above the collarbone, or in the breast that remains for more than a week
  • Nipple discharge
  • Inversion of the nipple or other changes to the nipple
  • Changes to the skin surface of the breast
  • Pain or tenderness of the nipple that does not go away
  • Dimpling, thickening or scaliness

If you find any changes in your breasts, even if a recent mammogram came back normal, make an appointment with your doctor right away. You should discuss which of the following diagnostic tools are appropriate for you: Mammogram, Ultrasound, MRI, Biopsy.

Contact The National Women’s Health Information Center for information on health insurance coverage or free clinics. Visit www.womenshealth.gov or call 1-800-994-9662.

Remember, early detection equals survival!

This information was provided by the American Cancer Society, The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

This information was reviewed by the Cancer Schmancer Medical Advisory Board.

Last updated: August 2010.

Comments

Thank You

Submitted by Guest on November 9, 2011 - 14:43.

for giving me a chance to get a mammogram that I couldn't afford to get even though I found a lump.
You gave me a chance, today I actually had my first mammogram in the Fran Van! Now the wait begins for the results, but i must remain positive.
Once again THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you

Submitted by Guest on December 28, 2010 - 13:50.

thank you soo much for this website and those informations
I just want to say i love you soo much YOU ARE MY IDOL
my grandma get cancer when i was 10 and she died.
I am 15 now.
This website is very very great. thank you !!!!

Decisions decisions . . .

Submitted by Guest on October 11, 2010 - 23:02.

One year ago I was diagnosed with Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS) . . . the lowest possible form of breast cancer . . . not even considered a form of breast cancer by some doctors. I have been told everything from "it's just a marker of being at an increased risk of getting breast cancer" and "there is no need to do anything other than just wait and see and come back in another year for a routine mammogram" to it being classified as "Stage 0" cancer (huh???) with several options ranging from "do nothing/wait and see" to "chemoprevention" to even consider getting a double preventive mastectomy! I'm not the type to just do nothing, and since I have no known history of breast cancer in my family I thought the latter was a little drastic for a "beginner" in this battle, so after much research, consultation, and deliberation, I opted for the chemoprevention drug, Tamoxifen. After all, at the young age of 55, I was already getting hot flashes (one of the side effects of the drug) anyway! Just one problem . . . another side effect is the potential for uterine cancer :(

I have already put my gynecologist on notice to monitor me very carefully. I figured since I'm probably not going to be having any babies at my age (still looking for Mr. Right . . . LOL) if I have to choose between a hysterectomy and a mastectomy, I'll take the hysterectomy any day. I'm hoping I've made the right decision.

My point is . . . there are so many tough decisions to be made, that it is very important for us to educate ourselves. That is why I am grateful for websites such as this one. Since discovering Fran's site, I have stopped microwaving my food in those leftover plastic bowls from the Healthy Choice Steamers and went out and bought a set of glass bowls. I am also in an ongoing battle with Macy's and Dillard's to start carrying the fragrance-free version of my favorite Lancome make-up again like they used to. Although after checking out the beauty care do's and don'ts, I may have to give up on Lancome altogether . . . just found out my favorite perfume, Miracle, is rated high (8) on the list of products containing carcinogens. I've also stopped coloring my hair and now have more silver showing than Fran's former male co-star on the Nanny!!

Please convey my thanks to Fran. Years ago I had an opportunity to speak to her in person but did not want to intrude upon her privacy and so I let that opportunity pass by. We were both browsing in the Conch Flats General Store at the Old Key West Resort at Lake Buena Vista in Florida. Every time I go back there (which is often since I live in Florida) I remember that moment and regret that I did not at least say hello and tell her how much I admire her work! I still watch the reruns and am looking forward to her new talk show!!

Keep up the good work :)

i cannot stress how important

Submitted by Guest on October 5, 2010 - 21:17.

i cannot stress how important self examinations and mammograms are. i was 12 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and 13 when she died (i am 27 years old now). My mother was only 37 years old. one thing i have taken away from this tragedy is to advocate for my health; not to take one doctors word for it. do not be afraid to get a second opinion, it could save your life. thank you for creating this wonderful site.
jen

Fran Drescher.....

Submitted by Guest on October 4, 2010 - 15:46.

You are my legit role model. Im 12 and my name is Justina. Brest cancer runs in my family, my grandmom is a surviver, i look up to her. You are very brave, and lucky. I just wanted to say i am one of your biggest fans.

breast cancer

Submitted by Guest on August 24, 2010 - 16:09.

my 33y/o daughter was just diagnosed with intraductal breast cancer, she is what they call triple negative (estrogen, progesterone, hertu), still awaiting braca tests to return. She falls under none of the above risk factors, her only health issue is hypothyroid due to graves disease or hyperthyroid at age 18y/o, unalble to control , she had radioactive iodine pill to kill her thyroid and has been on synthroid since then, apparently dr. Brownstein , in Michigan has been trying to get attention of the medical community about the relationship of iodine, estrogen and breast cells--lack of proper balance in this can cause breast cancer, had we known or her drs. she and probably alot of other women could have prevented this. She will be having bilateral mastectomy sept. 8th.

Thank you for this

Submitted by Guest on August 24, 2010 - 10:10.

Thank you for this information.

u are great fran!!!!

Submitted by Guest on August 4, 2010 - 22:27.

i cant thank u enough u have made this disease more aware to people in this world. it is great information for young women like myself.i am only 15 my name is alex. breast cancer runs in my family. my aunt is a survivor. so i just wanna thank you for letting me and other women know what some of the first signs of cancer are . because catching it early on is most peoples best hope to curing it. i just want to thank you again u are a great woman and one of my heros. i hope to meet u one day. thnks again have a nice day. ps. love the show the nanny and living with fran!!! :)

thanks

Submitted by Guest on December 3, 2009 - 12:52.

cant say it enough. thanks for providing this information. i truly appreciate it! i never really understood how to properly exam myself. was tought in high school by the nurse, but never quite understood how to tell what was normal or abnormal. I am definately going to my doc to get proper exam. Thanks again!