So sorry to hear about your friend - but it's a timely and valuable reminder to all of the importance of being aware and how it could save a life.
Here's the usual standard advice... Everyone should do monthly self-examinations. (Men too, including breasts.) We are our best defense if we're familiar with our own body and notice any changes. Women should start mammograms based on their doctor's recommendations and their own personal and family history. (Mammograms don't find all cancers, especially in those with dense breast tissue; most who are diagnosed have no family history.) The sooner you get any potential irregularities or differences checked out, the easier the outcome - whether it turns out to be nothing, which is most often the case - or if they do find something. (Most breast cancer is very treatable these days, especially when caught early.)
BTW, it's occurred to me that I have met at least one person (perhaps more) who is a LONG TERM survivor of aggressive inflammatory BC. It does happen, if caught early. Sadly, however, it's often misdiagnosed because it's not as common and symptoms aren't typical of most breast cancer. It can be dismissed as just a rash. For more info on the subject, here's a good link. (Be warned that it includes a somewhat graphic photo.)
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355413
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