Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer amongst women (other than skin cancer). There are 1,300 cases of breast cancer in men per year, too.
Doctors can seldom explain why one woman gets breast cancer and another does not. Doctors do know that bumping, bruising, or touching the breast does not cause breast cancer. And breast cancer is not contagious. Research has shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.
Are you at risk for breast cancer?
Simply being a woman and getting older puts you at risk for breast cancer. The older you are, the greater your chances of getting breast cancer. Also, you are at higher risk if your mother, sister, or daughter has had breast cancer. Studies have found the following risk factors for breast cancer:
A woman over the age of 60
Personal history of breast cancer
A family history of breast cancer
Abnormal cells in the breast
Genetic alterations
Older women who have their first child
Women who take menopausal hormone therapy for more than 5 years after menopause
Breast cancer occurs more often in white women than Latina, Asian, or African American women
Radiation therapy to the chest
Older women who have mostly dense (not fatty) tissue on a mammogram obese have an increased risk of developing breast cancer
Women who are physically inactive throughout life appear to have an increased risk of breast cancer
Some studies suggest that the more alcoholic beverages a woman drinks, the greater her risk of breast cancer
Screening for breast cancer
Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread.
It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if a screening test is suggested. Screening tests are given when you have no cancer symptoms. If a screening test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done to find out if you have cancer. These are called diagnostic tests.
Breast Cancer can be done by the individual through a self-breast exam. Screening can be done through a clinical breast exam or through a mammogram, which is the best tool available to find breast cancer before symptoms appear. Annual mammograms should start at age 40 or earlier depending on risk factors.
Early detection is key
Finding the disease early with mammograms and breast exams by your doctor, nurse, or self can save your life. For yourself and your family, call your doctor for an exam and mammogram today.
To find a physician, call 1-877-HEALTHONE or visit our online Physician Referral System
Are you at risk for breast cancer?
To find a physician, call 1-877-HEALTHONE or visit our online Physician Referral System
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