Get 10 facts about breast cancer from an expert doctor in this article from Lifescript.com, a leading women’s health resource online.

Here’s a sneak peek at the facts included in the full 9-page article:

#1: Breast cancer is the second-leading cancer in women, after lung cancer. It’s the most common cancer second only to skin cancer.

#2: Detecting cancer early on is vital, since the 5-year rate of survival jumps to nearly 100% when cancer hasn’t been able to spread farther than the breast(s). Women should undergo annual mammograms and breast exams by age 40; they should also perform self-exams once per month.

#3: The top, most reliable method of determining whether a patient has breast cancer is mammography. And due to mammography’s increased use, it’s more and more common for women to get diagnosed during the early stages of breast cancer. Twenty-five percent of breast cancers are detected via breast exams, 35% by mammography and 40% by a combination of breast exams and mammography.

#4: You can check yourself for possible signs and symptoms. The most common symptoms include: Changes in the breast(s), such as changes in appearance or feel, and changes in the look or feel of the nipple.

#5: You may need to do more than get a mammogram. A doctor might recommend you get an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, in addition, or other imaging options may be recommended such as stereotactic, positron emission tomography, ultrasound, or scintigraphy and lymphatic mapping.

#6: There are numerous factors associated with increased risk of getting breast cancer, but their presence doesn’t mean you’ll get the disease. Nor does their absence mean you will be protected, either.

#7: Genetic mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2 boost your risk. Women who have these genetic mutations tend to have a higher risk for getting breast cancer.

#8: Racial and ethnic differences affect your risk of breast cancer, most likely due to inherited risk factors, or differences in screening rates or medical care. Caucasians have the most incidences of breast cancer while Native Americans the lowest.

#9: Keeping tabs on diet and exercise can help. Weight gain after the age of 18 or after menopause boosts your risk. But shedding excess pounds can diminish your risk of getting breast cancer.

#10: What could potentially boost breast cancer risk is hormone replacement therapy, according to the findings of recent research.

For much more on the above facts and more vital cancer information you should know, check out the full article at Lifescript.com.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).