If you find a lump or thickening of tissue on your breast that is different from the surrounding skin, then it may be either a malignant or benign formation. Similarly, bloody discharge from the nipple may suggest something malignant within the breast and is one of the telltale signs of breast cancer. Check the skin on your breast to see if it begins to change or dimple or show redness or pitting, as this could be a sign of early onset breast cancer.

Additionally, an inverted nipple might indicate cancer, and if the skin on the nipple shows peeling or flaking, you need to see a doctor immediately. Making an appointment with your doctor in any of these cases is essential, no matter whether your previous mammogram was normal. If a doctor diagnoses breast cancer in the early stages, your chance of survival increases monumentally. Thus, it is essential for both women and men to make annual doctor's appointments for check-ups.

Risks that make the disease likely

Being a matured woman you have a higher risk of breast cancer. Similarly, if there is a history of the disease in your family, perhaps your mother, grandmother, etc, your chances are much higher as well. If you are a woman who enjoys being in the sun for prolonged amounts of time, perhaps an athlete, a biker, or a lover of the beach, you are at a higher risk of having the disease. Obesity is a huge risk factor, as well as drinking alcohol. If you have had a child at an older age or are undergoing postmenopausal hormone therapy, then you too, stand a higher chance of getting breast cancer.

Prevention

There are many methods to take that may ensure preventing breast cancer, but it takes vigilance and attention to your own health. Once you are aware of the factors that might put you at higher risk, you ought to take extra measures to ensure that you seek the proper care and precautions. Get breast cancer screening from your doctor. You and your doctor should determine the best age to begin screening and the methods best suitable for you. Make sure to perform self-exams on a fairly regular basis to learn the shape and form of your breasts and be able to spot irregularities with greater ease. Also, because drinking is so dangerous and risky, try to avoid drinking alcohol and only do so in moderation.

Finally, adopt exercise and a healthy diet into your life and try to do so about thirty minutes per day. This will boost your immune system and ward off the chances of breast cancer. Moreover, this will prevent you from getting a host of other diseases and illnesses and will just improve your overall quality of life. It is extremely important to maintain a healthy weight and try to eat well every day. Eat balanced meals with essential nutrients and do not indulge in too many sweets or sodas that can lead to obesity, which will increase your chances of breast cancer.

For women who are at a high risk of getting breast cancer, there are more extreme precautions that can be taken to avoid getting it. If your doctor has determined that you have a very good chance of getting it, due to family histories, then preventive medications and precautionary surgeries that include removing parts of or the entire breast might be necessary options.