Breast Cancer - Having breast cancer means that some cells in your breast are growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells and may spread through your breast and into other parts of your body.

A breast exam by a trained medical professional should be part of your regular medical checkup.

Cyst - A cyst is a fluid-filled sac that feels like a soft lump or tender spot. Its found most often in women ages 30-50. A cyst is typically not cancerous.

Exercise - Build exercise into your daily routine. Exercise reduces estrogen levels, and boosts immune system cells that attack tumors.

Mammogram - A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. A mammogram can find many cancers before they can be felt.

Many breast cancer survivors find that their lives and relationships become deeper and more meaningful. Many also have a renewed sense of celebration and enjoyment.

• About 216,000 new cases in women and 1,500 in men are projected this year in the US.
• About 3,600 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in Wisconsin this year.

Men get breast cancer too. The most common symptoms include a lump in the breast or a nipple abnormality.

Even though Caucasion women have a higher-rate of developing breast cancer, African-American women are more likely to die from the disease. Factors include barriors to healthcare, genetic differences in tumors and later stage of disease at diagnosis.

Go to http://www.komen.org/ for breast health and breast cancer information and resources. Breast cancer treatments are changing rapidly and information quickly becomes outdated, so visit often to keep yourself up-to-date.

Fibroadenoma - A Fibroadenoma is a smooth, rubbery or hard lump that moves easily within the breast tissue. It is most often found in teenagers and younger women and African American women. A Fibroadenoma is typically not cancerous.

Hispanic/Latina women are less likely to participate in mammography screening and more likely to be diagnosed at later stages of breast cancer. Factors include language barriers, no health insurance and not knowing breast cancer risks.

Learn the normal look and feel of your breasts. Check for changes every month. Women find most breast lumps themselves at home.

The most common type of breast cancer begins in the ducts designed to carry milk after childbirth. But cancer may also occur in the small sacs that produce milk (lobules) or in other breast tissue.

Friends and family are an important part of your treatment. More studies show that strong relationships are crucial in dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

A diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming. Educate yourself about breast cancer and its treatment. You will have many decisions to make in the weeks and months ahead. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be to make the best choices.

• This year an estimated 216,000 women and 1,300 men will develop breast cancer.
• Approximately 40,100 women and 400 men will die of this disease each year.
• Breast cancer is the leading cancer site among American women and is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths.
• Breast cancer accounts for 30% of all new cancer cases in women.
• When breast cancer is confined to the breast, the 5-year survival rate is over 96%.