One women in eight will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. One in fourteen develop breast cancer between the ages of sixty and seventy nine. One in twenty six between the ages of forty and fifty nine. It is a diagnosis that sends icy chills down the spine of all women. Even harmless lumps can bring on weeks of dread, sleepless nights, emotional paralysis. In this article, the first in a three part series, information women need to arm themselves in the war against this disease will be provided.

Most of the terror lies in confusion and fear. Breast cancer terrifies women. Our femininity is tied to our bustline in a social structure that reveres bustiness, large cup size, T and A. For many years a diagnosis of breast cancer meant mastectomy. In recent years there has been a move to educate the public. With advances in treatment and detection breast cancer is one of the more beatable cancers. But many women are so paralyzed by fear that they allow denial to keep them from getting the help that could save them.

Here are the facts. There are several types of breast cancer, divided into three main categories. The breast is made up of fifteen to twenty lobes, which are made up of smaller sections called lobules. The loves and lobules are connected by thin tubes called ducts. The most common type of breast cancer is found in the cells of the ducts. Cancer beginning in the lobules is called lobular carcinoma; it is more aggressive in most cases and is more often found in both breasts than lobular types. The third type is inflammatory breast cancer, which is very uncommon. It is marked by warm, red, swollen breasts.

How can you tell if you have breast cancer? We have all heard about self examination and mammography and both are very important part of early detection. Many women, however, are not checking for all the symptoms they should. It can not be stressed enough that most breast lumps are found by women themselves or their sexual partners. Mammography is a powerful weapon, but the human hand is more effective. Women who examine their breasts monthly are more aware of changes. Here’s what to look for:

lumps: abnormal shapes in the breast, usually detectable with fingers
thickening: increase in density or solidity in the breast
swelling: abnormal swelling such as might occur during pregnancy
dimpling: appearance of dimples, even cellulite-like crepiness
skin irritation: itching, rash
distortion: changes in size or shape
retraction: a “shrinking back” of the nipple or even the full breast
scaliness: flaky skin similar to psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis
pain/tenderness: greater than usual pain or tenderness, particularly non-menstrual
discharge: fluid from the nipple or surrounding area

Not all of these symptoms necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Some women may actually contract skin disorders that adversely affect the nipple or breast. Often lumps are quite benign and temporary. All of these symptoms are, however, warning signs. And warning signs are important, because with early diagnosis and treatment breast cancers are almost never life threatening. They become so when we allow fear or denial to keep us from treating them swiftly and aggressively.

Treatment, too, has changed. Many women are frightened away from seeking help by visions of hair loss and painful, long term radiation or chemotherapy. Today early treatment is much less invasive and life changing. In many cases lumps that are suspicious are removed in a simple and quick procedure. Very often a biopsy (test for cancer in the cells) is done with a needle, which is inserted into the lump to draw out fluid. When the nipple is involved, or in the cases of inflammatory breast cancer symptoms, more detailed testing is necessary. In very nearly all cases early treatment means full recovery. These earliest stages of cancer appear before the cancer has spread to surrounding tissue or the lymph nodes beneath the arm.

Early detection will also save your breast(s). It is the embarrassing but real truth that we don’t want to consider, being too ashamed to admit that losing a breast-- or both-- is nearly as horrifying as the thought of losing our lives. Years ago mastectomy was common as a cure all, but today we are wiser and more sensitive to the female body image, and how this impacts her state of overall well being. The earlier you detect suspicious masses or conditions in your breasts the more time you have to seek varying opinions on treatment. Mastectomy becomes more rare each year. With early detection and treatment it is almost certainly unnecessary.

It’s your body. Cherish it with care. Do a self examination every month. If you have a sexual partner, make a game of it. Often their hands are more accustomed to the shape and texture and response to touch. If you are under forty get a mammogram every two years; if you are over forty every two. One women in eight will have breast cancer in her lifetime. With early detection, armed with knowledge, unwilling to let fear paralyze them, all eight can beat it.

Next Month: Breast Cancer: Voices from the Trenches