Breast cancer is hard to ignore. It is the most common form of cancer among American women, and almost everyone knows at least one person who has been treated for it.

Understandably, women are concerned about getting breast cancer, and this concern prompts them to watch for breast changes. Breast changes are common. Even though most are not cancer, they can be worrisome.

This information is designed to help you with these concerns. It describes screening for the early detection of breast cancer, explains the various types of breast changes that women experience, and outlines methods that doctors use to distinguish between benign (noncancerous) changes and cancer. It reviews factors that can increase a woman's cancer risk and reports on current approaches to breast cancer prevention.

Words that appear bold on the pages that follow are defined in the Glossary. You can click on each word to be automatically linked to its definition in the glossary. Use your "back" button to return to the place you started.

We hope that you will find this information helpful.

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