 Breast
Health: Three
Step Plan for Preventive Care
The
thought of having breast cancer is frightening to everyone, and especially
devastating to women. But, ignoring the possibility that you may develop
breast cancer or avoiding the processes to detect cancer, can be
dangerous.
Although there are some women who are at higher
risk, the fact is that all women are at risk
for breast cancer. That is why it is
so important to follow this three-step plan for preventive care. Although
breast cancer cannot be prevented at the present time, early detection of
problems provides the greatest possibility of successful treatment.
What is the three-step plan?
Routine care is the best way to keep you and your breasts healthy.
Although detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages is the main goal
of routine breast care, other benign conditions, such as fibrocystic
breasts, are often discovered through routine care.
| Step 1. Breast
Self-Examination (BSE)
A woman should begin
practicing breast self-examination by the age of 20 and continue
the practice throughout her life - even during pregnancy and
after menopause. BSE should be done regularly at the same time
every month. Regular BSE teaches you to know how your breasts
normally feel so that you can more readily detect any change.
Changes may include:
- development of a lump
- a discharge other than
breast milk
- swelling of the breast
- skin irritation or
dimpling
- nipple abnormalities
(i.e., pain, redness, scaliness, turning inward)
If you notice any of these
changes, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible for
evaluation.
|
| Step
2. Clinical Examination
A breast examination by a
physician or nurse trained to evaluate breast problems should be
part of a woman's physical examination. The American Cancer
Society recommends:
- Between the ages of 20
and 39, women should have a clinical breast examination by a
health professional every three years.
- After age 40, women
should have a breast exam by a health professional every
year.
A physical breast
examination by a physician or nurse is very similar to the
procedures used for breast self-examination. Women who routinely
practice BSE will be prepared to ask questions and have their
concerns addressed during this time.
|
| Step 3. Mammography
Mammography is a low-dose
x-ray of the breasts to find changes that may occur. It is the
most common imaging technique. Mammography can detect cancer or
other problems before a lump becomes large enough to be felt, as
well as assist in the diagnosis of other breast problems.
However, a biopsy is required to confirm the presence of cancer.
Because when to begin and
how often to have mammograms is controversial, talk with your
physician about a mammography schedule that is appropriate for
you based on your overall health and medical history, risk
factors, and personal opinion or preference.
According to the National
Cancer Institute, women in their 40s and older should begin
having a screening mammogram on a regular basis, every one to
two years. But, the American Cancer Society recommends that by age
40, women should have a screening mammogram every year. (A
diagnostic mammogram may be required when a questionable area is
found during a screening mammogram.)
Both organizations suggest
that women who may be at increased risk for breast cancer should
talk with their physicians about whether to begin having
mammograms at an earlier age.
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