October is breast cancer awareness month and a great time to share valuable information on how to lower risk factors and recognize symptoms.
Although mammography screening does not help physicians find all breast cancers, its use is the best way to find the disease in its early stages. Breast cancer is the second-deadliest cancer among women in the United States and early detection greatly increases the survival rate.
The two most common risk factors, being a woman and getting older, are inescapable. Women whose grandmother, mother or sister has had breast cancer are at greater risk as well as overweight and/or physically inactive women.
Symptoms and Signs
Women who experience any of the following symptoms should consult a physician right away:
- A lump in the breast
- Breast tenderness
- Change in breast size or shape
- Redness, scaliness or thickening of nipple or breast
- Dimpled skin near the breast
- A lump under the arm
- Nipple retraction
- Nipple discharge
- Irritation on the breast, nipple or skin near the nipple
- Swelling of the breast
To decrease risk and improve early detection possibilities, follow these screening guidelines and lifestyle habits:
- Begin monthly breast self-exams in your 20s. Report any changes in breasts to physician immediately.
- In your 20s and 30s have a clinical breast exam every three years.
- In your 30s discuss breast cancer risk level with a physician to determine appropriate screening options.
- If you are 40+, consider having annual mammograms, annual clinical breast exams and if recommended by a physician, an annual MRI screening.
- If you are 50+ consider a mammogram and a clinical breast exam at least every two years after discussion with physician, and if recommended, an annual MRI screening.
- Women with a sister, mother or grandmother who had breast cancer before age 50 should begin receiving mammograms 10 years before reaching that relative’s age at diagnosis.
- Exercise regularly, limit alcohol intake and maintain a healthy body weight.
Information from www.cdc.gov, www.cancer.org and www.cancer.gov.