Fighting breast cancer one chocolate at a time

Screening Guidelines

ACS Recommends:

  • Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40. The age at which screening should be stopped should be individualized by considering the potential risks and benefits of screening in the context of overall health status and longevity.
  • Clinical breast exam should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20's and 30's, and every year for 40 and older.

Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2007

Signs and Symptoms

  • The earliest sign of breast cancer is usually an abnormality detected on a mammogram before women or her health care providers can feel it.
  • When breast cancer has grown to the point where physical signs and symptoms exist, these may include:
    • A breast lump
    • Thickening and swelling
    • Distortion or tenderness
    • Skin irritation or dimpling
    • Nipple pain, scaliness, ulceration, retraction or spontaneous discharge.

Early Detection

  • Mammography is especially valuable as an early detection tool because it can identify breast cancer at an early stage, usually before physical symptoms develop.
  • Numerous studies have shown that early detection saves lives and increases treatment options
  • The recent declines in breast cancer mortality have been attributed to the regular use of screening mammography and to improvements in treatments.
  • However, mammography also has limitations: it will miss some cancers, and it sometimes leads to unnecessary additional testing in women who do not have breast cancer. All suspicious lumps should be biopsied for a definitive diagnosis.

Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam is an option for women starting in their 20's.

Women at increased risk (e.g. family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (i.e., breast ultrasound and MRI), or having more frequent exams.

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