October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Think of all the women you know: mothers, sisters, friends, daughters, and YOU. Now think about this: one in eight will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

It's a sobering statistic, but the good news is that when breast cancer is detected early, at a localized stage, the survival rate is 98 percent. The most advanced forms of breast cancer affect women who are 50 or older. Family history also plays a factor with about 25% of women with breast cancer having a family history of the disease. Common signs and symptoms are:

• A lump in a breast or the underarm area
• Swelling in the armpit
• Lumps are generally painless, but pain or tenderness in the breast can be a sign of breast cancer
• A visual change in the nipple, such as nipple retraction, dimpling, itching, a burning sensation, or ulceration. A scaly rash of the nipple is symptomatic of Paget’s disease, which may be associated with an underlying breast cancer.
• Unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear, bloody or another color is usually caused by benign conditions, but can be cancerous.

Listen as Dr. David Burger, medical director of INTEGRIS Comprehensive Breast Center, explains who may be at a higher risk for breast cancer and what kind of steps should be taken.

If you would like more information or would like to speak to a member of the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute, please call 405-773-6400. For more information, visit the INTEGRIS Comprehensive Breast Center.