The 10 Most Common Cancers: Know The Signs and Symptoms

Breast cancer

The numbers around breast cancer are frightening. As the second leading cause of death among women (after lung cancer), one in eight women will face breast cancer at some point in their life. Men aren’t safe from this cancer either. While extremely rare, roughly 2500 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and of these, an alarming 460 cases will end up being terminal. Breast cancer almost always starts in the milk-producing glands or ducts that bring milk to the nipple. As long as cancer stays there, it is considered noninvasive. In most cases, cancer begins to spread, attacking and destroying healthy tissue both in and around the breast. This form of breast cancer is known as invasive.

To detect breast cancer, be on the look out for any abnormal swelling of the breast, even if there are no distinct lumps. Unusual nipple discharge or changes in skin around the nipple such as scaliness, dimpling, irritation or thickening of the skin are all warning signs. While it’s important for women of all ages to be aware of these symptoms, breast cancer does become a greater risk in women who are over the age of 40.