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Breast Cancer Awareness
Chances are that you know someone who’s had breast cancer. That’s because next to skin cancer, it’s the most common type of cancer among women in the United States and is the second leading cause of death in women after lung cancer. So how can you reduce your risk for getting breast cancer?
Early detection is vital when it comes to surviving breast cancer. The earlier that breast cancer is found, the better the chances that treatment will work.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends the following guidelines for finding breast cancer early in women without symptoms:
Mammogram: Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way to find breast cancer.
Clinical breast exam: Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular exam by a health expert, at least every three years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health expert every year. It might be a good idea to have the CBE shortly before the mammogram. You can use the exam to learn what your own breasts feel like.
Breast self-exam (BSE): BSE is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any changes in how their breasts look or feel to their health professional right away.
Research has shown that BSE plays a small role in finding breast cancer compared with finding a breast lump by chance or simply being aware of what is normal for each woman. If you decide to do BSE, you should have your doctor or nurse check your method to make sure you are doing it right. If you do BSE on a regular basis, you get to know how your breasts normally look and feel. Then you can more easily notice changes. But it's OK not to do BSE or not to do it on a fixed schedule.
The goal, with or without BSE, is to see your doctor right away if you notice any of these changes: a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk. But remember that most of the time these breast changes are not cancer.
Women at high risk: Women with a higher risk of breast cancer should talk with their doctor about the best approach for them. This might mean starting mammograms when they are younger, having extra screening tests, or having more frequent exams.
Possible symptoms of breast cancer include:
- A new lump or mass in the breast or underarm area
- Swelling of all or part of the breast
- Skin irritation or dimpling
- Breast pain
- Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
- Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
- A nipple discharge other than breast milk
You can also reduce your risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), you can lower your risk of getting breast cancer by controlling your weight and exercising regularly; limiting the amount of alcohol you drink; knowing your family’s history of breast cancer; finding out the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy; and getting screened for breast cancer regularly.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but you should pay close attention to your body all year long. Make sure to perform regular breast self-exam and talk to your doctor about any unusual changes.