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Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among American women, after skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 (12%). In 2008, an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. (American Cancer Society)

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from cells of the breast.
For information on rare Male Breast Cancer.....visit: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_male_breast_cancer_28.asp   
Because many women with early breast cancer have no symptoms of the disease. There are various stages of breast cancer, and for this reason, breast cancer screenings are higly recommended for early detection.
The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous. However breast cancers can be tender, soft, or rounded.

Other possible signs of breast cancer are:
          - swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no distinct lump is felt)
          -skin irritation or dimpling
          -breast or nipple pain
          -nipple retraction (turning inward)
          -redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
          -a discharge other than breast milk

There are two different kinds of testing for Breast Cancer...Screenings and Diagnostic.
Screening are the first step of testing for Breast Cancer. Screening tests look for signs of disease in those women who do not display any symptoms. Screenings should be done routinely for health women. Mammograms, Breast Self Exam and Breast physical exam by MD are screening tests.
Diagnostic tests  are done once breast cancer is suspected or have been diagnosed. Examples of diagnostic tests are (Magnetic Resonance Imaging -MRI, blood tests, bone scans).
Tests are also required during treatment and post treatment of breast cancer, to monitor progress and effectiveness of treatments.
 
The news of being diagnosed with any disease, especially cancer can be overwhelming. But, I feel the best way to cope is to learn as much as you can about the particular disease, communicate with your doctors and find support groups.

Recommend resource websites for updated information on the latest news, statistics, research trials, faq, support groups, faq etc ...on Breast Cancer.. are:

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
http://www.breastcancer.org/
http://www.nbcam.org/
 
Survivors of Breast Cancer
At this time there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. (This includes both women still being treated and those who have completed treatment. (American Cancer Society)

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References:

www.cancer.org
www.cancer.gov