The Key to Early Breast Cancer Detection

   Early Breast Cancer Detection Significantly Increases Survival Rates

For many years, women have heard that the best hope for curing breast cancer is early detection. Health professionals have taught women about the importance of three breast cancer screening techniques:

Breast self exam
Breast exam by a health professional
Mammograms 

Everyone is at risk of developing breast cancer, but some are at a higher risk as a result of age, gender, personal and family history, and genetics. 

As we age, the risk of breast cancer increases. According to breast cancer researchers, 43% of the newly diagnosed breast cancers in the US occur in women 65 years or older. 

The emphasis on breast cancer screening leads us to believe that breast cancer can be cured if found early. It also leads us to believe that those women who survive breast cancer do so because it was found early.

Many women also believe that if you eat right, exercise and don’t drink you are immune to breast cancer. The truth is that there is really nothing that we can do to prevent us from getting breast cancer. But there are measures that we can take to reduce the chances of getting it.

No matter how healthy your lifestyle is, your best bet for early breast cancer detection is appropriate screenings at appropriate times.

Mammograms combined with clinical breast exams remain the best way to detect breast cancer in its early stages. While they are not 100% effective, they are credited in part with higher and earlier rates of detection. According to medical experts, a mammogram and a breast exam by a health professional are recommended annually for every woman starting at age 40.

Women are also encouraged to do self breast exams. Any lumps or changes in color, texture, size or tenderness of the breasts or under the arms and surrounding area should sound an alarm. Other signs can include a discharge or drainage from the breasts. Any of these signs should be reported to your physician when you notice them.


Breast Cancer Early Detection Plan:

Early breast cancer detection significantly increases survival rates. An early breast cancer detection guideline:

Age 20            Begin monthly breast self-examinations and be aware of any signs of
                      change

Age 20 – 39     Schedule clinical breast exams every three years. Report personal and
                      family risk factors to your physician

Age 40            Have a baseline mammogram and clinical breast exam

Age 41+          Have an annual mammogram and clinical and breast exam


With early breast cancer detection, the five year survival rate is 96%.

Unfortunately, we are limited by techniques and our understanding of breast cancer. Until there is a cure, proper screening is still our best tool for early breast cancer detection.
 

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