When you experience the following cases:
• Nipple discharge
• Breast pain
• Lumps or changes in the shape or color of the breast
• Family health history that makes you feel worried

Family history:
Having a family history of breast cancer poses an increased risk of breast cancer. In addition, some families are at particular risk of developing cancer due to hereditary cancer syndromes. These families often have many family members with cancer, and they are more likely to develop cancer at an early age. In the case of breast and ovarian cancer, inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been found to significantly increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Alterations in these genes can be passed down through the mother's or father's side of the family.

Breast density:
Breast density refers to the glandular and connective tissues in the breast. Breasts with glandular and connective tissue -- and less fat -- are denser. Women with high breast density are more likely to develop breast cancer. In addition, the density of the breast increases the difficulty of detecting breast cancer by radiography.

Most of the tumors that women may develop are "non-cancerous" benign tumors, but to be sure, you should visit a surgical oncologist. In addition, you should never ignore a lump in your breast, especially if it persists for more than two weeks. Every woman should know the nature of her breasts in order to recognize any recent changes.

As for the age stages, each stage has its different characteristics, and the probability of developing cancer varies from one age to another. Younger women are more likely to have non-cancerous tumors only, while older people are more likely to develop cancer. Therefore, you need to go through the necessary examinations that are required by the surgical oncologist, namely ultrasound for all women of any age. While women over the age of 30 need an ultrasound with a mammogram, in addition to a needle biopsy to determine the type of tumor, the patient must not undergo any surgery before the biopsy, except in a few specific cases such as: the patient's age is less than 25 years, or that the examination and ultrasound have the same result; The tumor must be benign (non-cancerous).

A benign breast tumor consists of a group of tumors that are harmless, but they must be carefully diagnosed to ensure that they are noncancerous tumors. The treatment of this benign tumor is to ensure that it is not cancerous, and treatment differs from one patient to another according to the patient’s age, her desires, and the surgeon’s recommendations. We must make it clear that a benign tumor will never turn into a cancerous tumor at all.

After puberty, from the age of 15 to 30 years, a "fibroadenoma" may form. In some cases, not every woman could feel the fibroadenoma due to the differences in weight and the size of Fibroadenoma. This type of tumor naturally disappears after 30 years old, in case it doesn’t disappear, it could be discovered after examinations and x-rays. Fibroadenoma is often referred to as a breast mouse due to its high mobility. It is characterized by being usually firm, or smooth and rubbery. Sometimes, it could be more than one tumor. It can be diagnosed by the triple assessment:

1. Examination by a tumor surgeon
2. Ultrasound for all ages (mammogram for a patient above 30 years old)
3. Needle biopsy (not surgery), to determine the type of the tumor and to be removed surgically in a few specific cases.. 

Cyst feels the same way as fibrous tumors and they share many properties, but they appear at ages from 35 to 50. In recent years, however, they have been diagnosed at ages as young as 25. Cysts are not dangerous, but they must be diagnosed . Its diagnosis, like all breast diseases, is a triple assessment:

1. Examination by a tumor surgeon
2. Ultrasound for all ages (mammogram for a patient above 30 years old)
3. Needle biopsy (not surgery), to determine the type of the tumor and to be removed surgically in a few specific cases.. 

Usually, biopsy is not needed unless bleeding occurs. It is advised to have a checkup through sound waves after 4 to 6 months of the original assessment. Cysts don’t cause malignant tumors.

Cancer is a largely preventable disease. Two-thirds of cancer deaths in the United States can be linked to tobacco use, poor diet, obesity, and lack of exercise. All these factors can be modified. Currently, awareness of the opportunity to prevent cancer through lifestyle changes is still not well appreciated.

However, the situation with breast cancer is more complex than with some other types of cancer and the cause of most cases of breast cancer is still unknown. The above risk factors do not account for most breast cancer cases and we must continue to search for these unknown causes.

Diet:
Diet is a fertile area for immediate individual and societal intervention to decrease the risk of developing certain cancers. Numerous studies have provided a wealth of oftencontradictory information about the detrimental and protective factors of different foods. There is convincing evidence that excess body fat substantially increases the risk for many types of cancer. While much of the cancer-related nutrition information cautions against a high-fat diet, the real culprit is an excess of calories. Studies indicate that there is little, if any, relationship between body fat and fat composition of the diet. These studies show that excessive caloric intake from both fats and carbohydrates have the same result of excess body fat. The ideal way to avoid excess body fat is to limit caloric intake and/or balance caloric intake with ample exercise.

It is still important, however, to limit fat intake, as evidence still supports a relationship between cancer and polyunsaturated, saturated and animal fats. Specifically, studies show that high consumption of red meat and dairy products can increase the risk of certain cancers. One strategy for positive dietary change is to replace red meat with chicken, fish, nuts and legumes.

High fruit and vegetable consumption has been associated with a reduced risk for developing at least 10 different cancers. This may be a result of potentially protective factors such as carotenoids, folic acid, vitamin C, flavonoids, phytoestrogens and isothiocyanates. These are often referred to as antioxidants.

Exercise:
Life-long physical activity is an important component of cancer prevention and many studies have shown that increased levels of exercise reduces the risk of developing breast cancer.

Breastfeeding:
Long-term breastfeeding may reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 50%. In a study conducted in China, researchers found a significant association between the duration of lactation and a reduced breast cancer risk. In this study, women who breastfed a child for more than two years had a 54% reduced risk of developing breast cancer, compared with women who breastfed for 6 months or less.

Chemoprevention:
Drugs that block the effects of estrogen have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk of the disease. Two drugs that have been approved for breast cancer risk reduction in certain groups of women are tamoxifen and Evista (raloxifene).

Either/both medicines should be used after consulting your doctor.

Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy (Preventive removal of both breasts):
Women who have a family history of breast cancer and women who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may reduce their risk of developing breast cancer by 90% by undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. Prophylactic mastectomy is a drastic measure that may decrease emotional stress regarding the concern over developing breast cancer; however, it may also increase stress related with self-esteem, sexuality and femininity. Women considering this procedure need to weigh the benefits against the consequences, which include the irreversibility of the procedure, the psychological impact and potential problems with implants and reconstructive surgery. While this procedure can greatly decrease the risk of developing cancer, it is not a guarantee that cancer will not develop.

Prophylactic Oophorectomy (Preventive removal of the ovaries):
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. Since the ovaries produce estrogen, which is linked to the development of both cancers, some women who are at a high risk for developing either cancer will opt to have the ovaries removed. This is an extreme measure and the decision to undergo such a procedure rests in the hands of the patient. Women considering this approach need to weigh the benefits against the consequences, which include sterility and the potential that they could still develop cancer. In addition, removal of both ovaries prior to menopause can introduce the issue of hormone replacement therapy, which carries its own risks.