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Tips for Better Breast Health
What is an mammogram?
Early Detection of Breast Cancer May Save Your Life
Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. While it is true that a woman's risk is greater if her mother or sister has had breast cancer, it is also true that 80 percent of women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
A woman can develop breast cancer at any age, but her risk increases as she grows older. Mammography is safe, and having a mammogram is easier than you think. By receiving regular mammograms, women can benefit from detecting problems at their earliest, most treatable stage. When detected early, breast cancer has a 95 percent survival rate.
All mammograms at St. Vincent's are "double read", which means that two radiologists read the mammogram independently. Double reading significantly increases accuracy and cancer detection rate.
Even though the great majority of breast conditions are benign, they can be worrisome. Regular mammograms can relieve that worry. A mammogram can show a lump as early as two years before it can be felt. The vast majority of curable cancers is confined to one area of the breast and is too small to be felt.
Complement your regular mammograms by seeing your doctor or other healthcare provider for a clinical breast exam on a regular basis and by performing monthly breast self-examination.
- Request regular mammograms. As recommended by the American Cancer Society, have an initial mammogram between the ages of 35 and 39 and an annual mammogram beginning at 40.
- Request annual clinical breast exams by a trained healthcare professional.
- Examine your breasts every month.
How to Do a Breast Self-Exam
All women should check their breasts for lumps, thicknesses or other changes every month. By examining your breasts regularly, you will know how your breasts normally feel. If a change should occur in your breasts, you will be able to identify it and let your doctor know.
- Check your breasts about one week after your period.
- Press firmly with the pads of your fingers. Move your left hand over your right breast in a circle. Make sure to check all over and include the armpit.
- Now check your left breast with your right hand in the same way.
You should also look at your breasts in a mirror. Look for any changes in how your breasts look.
If you find any lumps, thickenings or changes, tell your doctor right away. Most breast lumps are not cancer, but you don't know if you don't ask.
Ask your health care provider to teach you the proper way to do a thorough breast self-exam.
To Schedule a Mammogram
To schedule a mammogram at St. Vincent's, call (205) 939-7003.
