After skin cancer, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States. Approximately 230,000 women are diagnosed with this disease each year, and about 2300 men. There are six types of breast cancer, but not all are fatal and for that reason, not treated the same way.

There are many things women should know about breast cancer, its diagnosis and treatment.

You need to know….

Breast cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for young women ages 15-34. Still, finding a lump in your breast does not necessarily indicate that you have breast cancer. Blocked milk ducts, cysts or warts are common occurrences.

The best way to know if it could be cancer is to take a piece of paper and draw two circles to represent your breasts. Position your nipples accordingly against the paper and then draw the lump where you have observed it. Be exact about the size of the lump. Now, keep the paper in a safe place. After a week, follow the same drawing procedure. If it has shrunk or completely disappeared, then you don’t need to worry about it. If it is the same, larger or swollen, then you should visit a doctor.

You should know…

That not all breast cancers are life-threatening. About 1 in 4 types of breast cancer are not.

You must know…

Not to believe all the stories you hear online. Online stories can make your situation seem more frightening. Remember that treatment for one person won’t be the same for the other, even if two patients have the same type of cancer. What might have worked for or happened to the person online or a colleague may not work for or happen to you. While it’s good to hear that you’re not the only one experiencing this, it’s also good to follow what your oncologist says.

You need to know…

Dealing with such diseases requires support. Join a support group or visit a therapist. Research has shown that talking your heart out with someone helps you live longer. In conditions like this, it also increases survival rates. Meet someone often who is in remission, even if their experience was different, it is helpful to connect with someone who has a much better idea of what you’re going through. This will keep you get yourself motivated and help you fight the cancer.