There are subjects that some people don't want to discuss. No one wants to bring up the unknown and the dark times of life, but sometimes they need to. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which sheds light on a topic that most of us wish to ignore. Cancer is never an easy topic to talk about, but it is a topic that everyone should be aware of. Here are a few facts that everyone should know about breast cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic:

1. Although breast cancer is more common to be found in women, it also occurs in men.

It is a common misconception that breast cancer only occurs in females, but that is false. In the United States, it is likely that this type of cancer will occur more in women, but that does not make it any less likely for men.

2. There are many symptoms for this cancer.

Like many things, there are common symptoms for breast cancer. Some symptoms can be seen in the change of size, shape, or looks of the breasts. Other symptoms include changes to the skin over the breasts, like peeling, flaking, dimpling, and redness. One common way for people to check for symptoms is to feel their breast in search of lumps, or thickening of the tissue.

3. Breast cancer can be inherited.

Some people may not know this, but five to ten percent of those diagnosed with breast cancer have the cancer due to gene mutations being passed on throughout their family.

4. Breast cancer occurs when cells grow abnormally.

This means that the cells divide faster than what they should. The action of dividing cells at a quick pace can cause a buildup in the breast, which in return forms a lump. These dividing cells can travel through the breasts and into other parts of the body, like the lymph nodes.

5. There are many risk factors that one can look for.

The risk factors that are known for breast cancer are being female, increasing age, personal and family history of the cancer, and radiation exposure. Also, if a girl were to get her period before the age of twelve, she would then be at an increased risk for breast cancer in comparison to someone who got their period after the age of twelve. If a person is obese their risk of breast cancer increases as well. A female is more likely to get breast cancer if she starts menopause later than most women do, or it they get pregnant at an age older than thirty, or if they do not get pregnant at all. There are more risks for breast cancer, but these are the main ones.

Cancer is not a topic that many people wish to discuss, but it is a topic that people should be well-informed about. In a world that is constantly being touched by cancer, people must learn a few key facts about it. Like all cancers, breast cancer is not a joking matter, but by reading up on each type of cancer we can become more aware on these matters and know how to react towards them.

All information found is from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/home/ovc-20207913