Can breast cancer be prevented?

The chance of developing breast cancer depends on genes, environment and lifestyle. Factors that increase one's chances are called risk factors, while those that decrease one's chances are termed protective factors. Here are some dos to improve your protective factors and don’ts to avoid risk factors:

The usual symptoms are:

• Any change in the shape and size of the breast
• Swelling or lump in any part of the breast
• Breast pain other than the usual tenderness before periods
• Any unusual discharge or blood stained discharge from the nipple
• Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
• Inverted nipple (turned in)
• Pitting of the skin over breast like the skin of an orange
• A lump or swelling in the armpit

We also believe that talking with someone who has had the same/similar condition can help as well.

Rita Wilson actress and married to Tom Hanks was recently diagnosed with breast cancer spoke out recently. 

“I share this to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health,” she said. “You have nothing to lose if both opinions match up for the good, and everything to gain if something that was missed is found, which does happen. Early diagnosis is key.”

The difference between conventional X-ray therapy and proton therapy – and why we are re-examining the way we treat left-side breast cancer. 

The majority of breast cancer patients today are able to preserve their breasts as they undergo a lumpectomy followed by post-operative radiation. However, research shows that left-side breast cancer patients treated with radiation have an increased risk of radiation-induced heart problems.