Think Pink! National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
While considerable progress has been made in the fight against breast cancer, it remains a significant health concern for women in the United States and throughout the world. In the U.S., it is the most common form of cancer in women. After lung cancer, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. According to the National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that about 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer during her lifetime and this year alone, over 200,000 Americans will be diagnosed and nearly 40,000 lives will be claimed.
Be On The Defensive!
The best defense is early detection with regular mammograms and manual breast self-examinations, which have raised survival rates. Women who are at average risk of developing breast cancer and who do not have a significant family history of breast cancer should have a mammogram and clinical breast examination by a health care provider every year. These annual mammograms and exams are very important to finding breast cancer at the earliest opportunity, when treatments can be most successful and chances of survival are best. There are three main tests that can help discover breast cancer in the early stages:
Mammogram– A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Women in their 40s and older should have mammograms every 1 to 2 years. Women who are younger than 40 and have risk factors for breast cancer should ask their healthcare provider whether to have mammograms and how often to have them.
Clinical breast exam– A clinical breast exam is an examination by a health care provider who looks for differences in size or shape between your breasts, and checks for any rash, dimpling, or other abnormal signs.
Breast self-exam – You may perform monthly breast self-exams to check for any changes in your breasts. It is important to remember that changes can occur because of aging, your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, or taking birth control pills or other hormones. Breast self-exams cannot replace regular screening mammograms and clinical breast exams.
Get the facts and be proactive…your life, or the life of someone you love may depend on it.
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kriste