Importance of Early Breast Cancer Detection

Chances are that sometime in your life, either through a talk with your mom or sister, a school program or visit to your doctor, you have been told about the importance of breast examinations for breast health, mostly for the early detection of breast cancer. Breast cancer is a disease that may take years to develop and often detection of any abnormality is so important.

To help sort our what tests should be done when, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends a three-part screening for early breast cancer detection in asymptomatic women:

• Mammogram. Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year, and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way to find breast cancer.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE). Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination (CBE) as part of a regular health exam by a health expert preferably every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year. There may be some benefit in having the CBE shortly before the mammogram. During the exam, the doctor can show you how to learn what your own breast feels like.
• Breast self-examinations (BSE). Women should report any change in their breasts to their doctor right away. BSE is a way for women (starting in their 20's) to find changes in their breast.

If you do BSE on a regular basis, you get to know how your breasts normally feel. Then you can more easily notice changes. You should see your doctor right away if you notice any of these changes: a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk.

Women with a higher risk if breast cancer should talk with their doctor about the best approach for them. This might mean starting mammograms when they are younger, having extra tests, or having more frequent exams.

Since none of the above screening methods can guarantee 100% detection of breast cancers, it is important that a woman see her physician on a regular basis and discuss any changes she may have in her breasts. Be smart. Get educated about your family health history. Talk to your physician about your personal risk for developing  the disease. Follow the guidelines recommended by the ACS. Because when it comes to breast cancer, early detection can be a life saver, literally.

For more information about screening tests and early detection of breast cancer, talk to your doctor or contact the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.