Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lifetime; incredibly, it is estimated that just over a million people throughout the world - women and men alike - will be diagnosed during this year alone. Just as incredibly, in this same year, nearly 43,000 people will die in the United States. The statistics are sobering; not just for their sheer volume but because it does not have to claim as many victims as it does. In many cases, it can be beaten. But fighting the battle means early detection and comprehensive treatment.

Breast cancer - the most common cancer among women - continues to be diagnosed on a daily basis as more and more people learn to read the signs and symptoms of this disease and seek early medical intervention. During this early intervention, doctors will work with each patient to determine the best possible treatment - as determined by the type and stage of the cancer as well as the overall physical health of the patient.

Technological advancements in treatment continue to bring new and exciting options to the table; but when you are suddenly thrust into the position of having to make a decision about treatment, the choices can seem overwhelming.

One choice is surgery, wherein the cancerous growth is removed from the breast - also know as a lumpectomy. In more severe cases - or as a preventative measure - a partial or total mastectomy, or removal of part, or all, of the breast, may be performed.

But aside from surgery, there are also many other choices including, chemotherapy - a frequent course of intravenous drugs used to stop the growth of the cancer; radiation - using pinpoint radiation therapy to kill cancer cells; and hormonal therapy to stop the growth of cancer cells. In many cases, however, breast cancer treatment utilizes a combination of many different therapies in order to achieve the greatest possibility for success.

In some cases, patients also choose to incorporate holistic therapies into their treatment. Such therapies may include diet, exercise, therapeutic massage, and acupuncture.

Early treatment is the key to ongoing health and survival - increasing a patient's chance of recovery and five year survival rate by nearly 95%. With such dramatic statistics at hand, it's no wonder that doctors aggressively promote any and all methods of early detection including self-examination, routine gynecological exams, mammograms, and breast ultrasound.

The most important thing to remember is that new treatments continue to be aggressively researched. And what has resulted are new and less invasive treatment options for patients. If breast cancer has affected you or someone in your life, it is important to stay educated on research findings.

The battle continues to be waged by women on a daily basis. As more and more women are incorporating self-examination and routine gynecological exams into their lives, the access to early breast cancer treatment grows exponentially. And as those who have been affected can attest, early diagnosis and treatment saves lives.