breast cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that about 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women by the end of 2016, and about 40,450 women will die of breast cancer. The harsh reality is that breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women. In the United States, about 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.

Breast cancer awareness goes far beyond knowing the statistics. It’s about active prevention and being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, with the hope of catching it early if it develops.

The following five warning signs of breast cancer are the ones that many women tend to ignore, but recognizing them can be vital in saving your life.

1. A new mole / change in an existing mole

Although moles are more often associated with a higher risk of skin cancer, they can also be linked to breast cancer. In one study, researchers followed 89,902 women aged 40 to 65 and wrote down their medical records over an 18-year period. The number of moles each woman had was documented at the start of the study. During the study, 5,956 of the women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The researchers found that women who had the most moles in the group had a 13% higher risk of breast cancer than women who did not have moles. If you notice a new mole or any type of change to an existing mole, see a healthcare practitioner.

2. A cough or hoarse throat that will not subside

Cancer that starts in one area is called primary cancer. If some cancer cells break away from the primary cancer and travel to another part of the body, they can form another tumor, called a secondary cancer. Breast cancer can spread to the lungs and can be detected by a prolonged cough or hoarseness. Cancer spreads to the lungs in 60 to 70% of women with terminal breast cancer. The most common signs are shortness of breath and a dry cough.