October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is the breast cancer awareness month. Take a look at this list of signs and symptoms which can tell if you have the disease:

Retraction or indention of the nipple

Redness or pitting of the skin over the breast, like the skin of an orange

Abnormal discharge from the nipple

Change in breast size or shape

Some statistics on breast cancer are:

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women.


• About 70% of all breast cancer cases are discovered by the patient herself or by her partner.


• Nine out of 10 women with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.


• About one in 11 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.


• Age is the biggest risk factor in developing breast cancer: More than 70 percent of cases occur in women over age 50.


• Women aged 50 to 69 who have a breast screen every two years can reduce their chances of dying from breast cancer by at least 30 percent.

Knowing about the signs and facts about breast cancer can help you prevent the disease, and help your fellow women as well. Regular breast check up is also a must. As the saying goes, prevention is still better than cure.