It's a nightmare that plagues millions of women -- a diagnosis of breast cancer. The fear isn't misplaced. Breast cancer affects more women than any other cancer except skin cancer, and kills more than any cancer but lung cancer.

But there's more reason than ever for hope. Patients have an increasingly better chance of surviving as detection and treatment methods improve and pervasive public awareness efforts tout the need for regular mammograms and self-exams -- such as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign every October.

Interactive: Breast cancer warning signs
• Commentary: A test worth taking
• Study: Abortion-cancer link disputed
• Race may affect aggressiveness of cancer
• Ethnic gaps linked to hormones
• The path traveled and road ahead
• The unlikely breast cancer patient
• Crow: Cancer will change my music

Treatments, risks, symptoms and causes
• Prevention factors you can control
• The many types of breast cancer
• All about mammograms
• Finding a lump: What’s next?
• Genetic testing for breast cancer

Do you conduct monthly breast self-exams?

No, it's too scary

Sometimes, when I think about it

Always, I want to find lumps as soon as possible

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