Understanding Breast Cancer

As women enter midlife and beyond, their health concerns begin to mount. Many diseases become more common with age, and breast cancer is no exception. Age is the single most potent risk factor for breast cancer; as your age increases, so does your chance of developing this disease. As you get older, you may notice that more of your friends and relatives are being diagnosed with breast cancer, or you may be living with it yourself. It is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States.

It's encouraging to know that great progress has been made in managing and preventing breast cancer. Diagnostic procedures and treatments are more precisely targeted to reduce side effects and recovery time. Newer classes of drugs help eliminate cancer cells throughout the body. Even certain health habits, such as regular exercise, can speed up the recovery time after surgery and other treatments. The result is that many women with breast cancer have been treated successfully and are now living normal lives. You may be surprised to learn that most women with the disease do not die from it. The death rate from breast cancer has declined by 2.3% per year since 1990 as a result of early detection and improved treatments.

Next >>  What Is Cancer?

In This Article:
Understanding Breast Cancer
What Is Cancer?
Types of Breast Cancer
Less Common Breast Cancers

From the Harvard Health Publications Special Health Report, Breast Cancer: Strategies for Living. Copyright 2004 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Illustrations by Harriet Greenfield, M.A., and Jesse Tarantino. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell. Harvard Medical School does not endorse products.
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