Why is this important?
One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. However, with early detection and treatment, you can greatly improve your chance of survival.
3 Steps to Early Detection
Although breast cancer cannot be completely prevented, early detection provides the greatest possibility of successful treatment. By following these three steps, you will help increase your chance of detecting cancer early.
1. BREAST SELF-AWARENESS
Breast self-awareness can help you become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. Knowing this will help you identify any changes in your breasts that should be reported to your health care professional promptly. If you find a lump, schedule an appointment with your doctor, but don’t panic - 8 out of 10 lumps are not cancerous.
Changes to look for include:
- A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
- A change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering in the skin of the breast
- A nipple turned inward into the breast
- Discharge (fluid) from the nipple
- Scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola (the dark area of skin at the center of the breast)
You should see your health care provider about any of these symptoms. Often these symptoms are not due to cancer, but if you notice any changes in your body, tell your health care provider immediately so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated.
It is recommended that women visit their family physician or gynecologist each year for an annual Well-Woman Exam. In addition to a routine pelvic exam and pap smear, the doctor may perform a brief breast exam to check for abnormalities. The Well-Woman Exam is a great opportunity for you to discuss with your health care provider any questions or concerns you have regarding your breast health. For example, your doctor may help you to determine the most appropriate frequency for your early detection steps.
In its early stages, breast cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms. NBCF recommends that women ages 40 and older get a mammogram every year. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It is a safe way to detect cancerous tumors and other abnormal breast conditions, and women who have screening mammograms have a lower chance of dying from breast cancer than women who do not have screening mammograms. Mammograms can detect cancer or other problems before a lump becomes large enough to be detectable to the touch. They provide an effective way to find breast cancer in its early stages when treatment is usually the most successful. Mammograms are considered safe, quick, and relatively painless.
Early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control (WHO)
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