Studies show that for women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death after lung cancer and the odds of a woman dying from the disease is 1 in 33. However major medical advancements and new forms of treatment have reduced the odds significantly.

There are several different types of breast cancer and they are differentiated depending on which area of the breast it occurs in. the different forms of treatment include chemotherapy, radiation or surgery, which treatment is used depends on the kind of cancer, its location and the extent of its spread.

While all women are at risk of getting breast cancer, there are certain factors that increase the chances of developing the disease. Some of the risk factors that are taken into consideration include family history, age and smoking. Absence of one or multiple risk factors does not necessarily mean that the person will definitely not get cancer just as someone who is at high risk will not necessarily develop it.

Unlike smoking, which is an avoidable factor family history and age are inescapable risk factors. Studies show that almost 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of fifty. Also most women came from families where other women in the family also suffered from the disease.

Although Caucasian women are at higher risk for getting breast cancer they are less likely to die from it, whereas a higher number of African -American women who get breast cancer will die from it. American Indian, Hispanic and Asian women are also less likely to get breast cancer.

Women who started menstruating before the age of 12 are at higher risk and so are women who go through menopause after the age of 55.

Some of the other high risk factors include radiation to the chest in early years, obesity, long term use of HRT, use of alcohol and childlessness. Birth control pills could possibly increase the odds and women should discuss this with their doctor before hand.

Early detection plays a huge role in reducing the risk of dying from breast cancer and it is critical that women learn how to perform self-examination of their breasts. Some of the things to look for in breast self-examination include a milky or bloody discharge from one or both nipples, introversion of nipples, tiny lumps in and around the area of the breasts or under the armpit. Women who are past the age of 40 should conduct breast self-examination at least once a month on a regular basis in order to catch the cancer early. In addition to breast self-examination, women over the age of 40 should also undergo a clinical examination by an experienced medical practitioner on an annual basis.