Breast Cancer |
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Breast Cancer: The leading cause of death from cancer among women in the United States is breast cancer. An estimated 640,000 new cases occur each year, of which about 250,000 are fatal. One out of every 17 women will have the disease in her lifetime. The common type of breast cancer affects a gland. It is most curable when found while still small in size and confined to the breast. Hence, detecting it early is extremely important. This can be done by monthly self-examination which any woman can easily learn. The American Cancer Society has a film available for free showing on this subject. Also, regular visits to the family doctor particularly if any suspicious lump is felt—are vital. Ninety-five per cent of women with breast lumps wait too long to see their doctors. In a Scotland study of several thousand women on whom breast cancer surgery was performed, the average size of the tumor was a little over an inch, three times the size of the smallest lump that can be felt. |
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