Breast cancer today is not what it was 20 years ago. Survival rates are climbing, thanks to greater awareness, more early detection, and advances in treatment. For thousands of people who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful.

There are often no symptoms of breast cancer, but sometimes women may discover a breast problem on their own.  Signs and symptoms to be aware of may include:

A painless lump in the breast, changes in breast size or shape, swelling in the armpit and nipple changes or discharge. Breast pain can also be a symptom of cancer, but not common.

Breast cancer and mammograms: The earlier breast cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. And mammograms, X-rays of the breast, can detect tumors before they are large enough to feel. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 for women at average risk.

Before age 50, each woman should check with a doctor to find out what screening schedule is right for her, considering the potential benefits and harms from screening.

Breast ultrasound and MRI: Besides a mammogram,  your doctor may order additional imaging with breast ultrasound. An ultrasound can help determine the presence of cysts, fluid-filled sacs that are not cancer. An MRI may be recommended along with a mammogram for routine screening in certain women who have a higher risk of breast cancer.

Breast self-exams:  It was once widely recommended that women check their own breasts once a month. But studies suggest these breast self-exams play a very small role in finding cancer. The current thinking is that it’s more important to know your breasts and be aware of any changes, rather than checking them on a regular schedule. If you want to do breast self-exams, be sure to go over the technique with your doctor.

What If You Find a Lump?  Don’t panic. 80 percent of breast lumps are not cancerous. Lumps often turn out to be harmless cysts or tissue changes related to your menstrual cycle. But you should let your doctor know right away if you find anything unusual in your breast. If it is cancer, the earlier it is found the better.

Breast cancer stages:  Once breast cancer has been diagnosed, the next step is to determine how big the tumour is and how far the cancer has spread. This process is called staging. Doctors use Stages 0- 4 to describe whether cancer is localized to the breast, has invaded nearby lymph nodes, or has spread to other organs, such as the lungs.

Knowing the stage and type of breast cancer will help your health care team formulate a treatment strategy.   Breast cancer survival rate: The odds of surviving breast cancer are strongly tied to how early it is found.

According to the American Cancer Society, 100 per cent of women with Stage 1 breast cancer live at least five years, compared to women without cancer and many women in this group remain cancer-free for good. The more advanced the cancer, the lower this figure becomes.  By Stage 4, the five- year relative survival rate declines to 20 per cent.