Pink RobbonAccording to the latest research from the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, with the exception of skin cancers.  The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time during a woman’s life is about 1 in 12 or 12%.  Second only to lung cancer, breast cancer is a disease that can be treated and cured. In fact, the good news is that death rates from breast cancer have been on the decline since 1990 when breast cancer awareness became more prevalent in our society.

Risk Factors

Studies have shown certain risk factors in women that can’t be changed; every woman needs to be aware of these risk factors and share that information with her doctor as soon as possible if he doesn’t ask during a routine physical.  These leading factors are:

•    Aging:  Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older.  This is why getting a mammogram is of vital importance to women who are older than 40.

•    Genetic risk factors:  About 5-10% of breast cancer cases are believed to be hereditary. 

•    Family history of breast cancer:  If your mother, sister, or other female relatives have had breast cancer, inform your doctor at your next check-up.

•    Race factors: Caucasian women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African-American women.  Asian, Native-American, and Hispanic women have a lower risk of developing and dying from this deadly disease.

Proper Screenings

Getting the proper screening to find this disease is very important for women.  The goal of these exams is to find cancers before they begin causing symptoms and to start treatment in the early stages.  Mammograms can aid in finding breast cancers that are just beginning and that are small and still confined to the breast area.  The prognosis for a woman with breast cancer depends on the size of the cancer and how far it has spread.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so as long as they remain in good health.  Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of their regular physical exam by a health professional at least every three years.  Women in their early 20s should be informed about breast self exams, given instructions on how to check themselves, and instructed to notify their health care professional if they notice any changes.

Symptoms

If you or a loved one notices any of the symptoms listed below, a healthcare professional should be seen immediately.  More often than not these symptoms are not due to cancer but you should be checked as soon as you notice the change.  Look for:

•    A lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area
•    A change in the size or shape of the breast
•    Dimpling or puckering in the skin of the breast
•    Discharge
•    Scaly, red, or swollen skin near or on the breast
•    Dimples in the breast that look like the skin or an orange

Taking care of yourself for your family and those you love should include a regular breast screening so that any abnormalities can be handled in a timely fashion.  Offer support and encouragement to those women in your life who hold a special place in your heart and urge them to get the appropriate exam performed right away.