Cancer is rapidly increasing every day. There are so many different types of cancer that it's almost impossible to not know someone who has been affected by it. One of the most rapidly increasing forms of cancer is breast cancer. It is important for us to know what the breast cancer symptoms are so that we can seek necessary treatments early, thereby increasing our chances of an early recovery.

Breast cancer has steadily been on the rise since the 1970's and its rise often blamed on modern western lifestyles. It's the number 2 most common form of cancer worldwide and is the number 5 most common cause of cancer death. For North American women, it is the number 2 cause of cancer death after lung cancer.

Early symptoms of breast cancer are usually breast pain or a painful lump. Since the invention of breast mammograms, breast cancer is found as an asymptomatic nodule even before any symptoms arise. When the cancer has reached small vessels under the skin, known as dermal lymphatic, it can represent itself as a skin inflammatory. This inflammatory can cause pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and an "orange peel" like texture to the skin.

Cancer of the breast can also represent itself as a metastatic disease meaning that it can spread to other areas in the body. The common places it spreads to are the bones, the liver, the lungs and the brain. Rapid unexpected weight loss can be another symptom of this type of cancer, as well as chills bone and joint pain.

Since this form of cancer is becoming increasingly more common, doctors have encouraged all women to get regular mammogram x-rays. Mammogram x-rays are relatively fast, cheap and accurate and are available in most countries. Mammograms have shown to reduce the breast cancer mortality rate by 20 or 30%.

Because of the increase in the incidence of breast cancer, especially in North America, more and more people are becoming aware of it. It is important for us to know what these breast cancer symptoms are so that we can consult our doctor early. Ironically, although cancer of the breast is most common among women, men can also get this type of cancer. Hence, it is of utmost importance that we should pay close attention to our bodies, especially our breast, and arrest any cancer growth before it becomes a major problem to us. A regiment of periodical self-check of our body, especially our breast, should be encouraged.