How much do you really know about breast cancer?
Breast Cancer Facts
- An estimated 40,480 women will die from breast cancer in 2008.
- Approximately 182,460 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2008.
- Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
- Mammography can detect breast lumps too small to be felt. Mammography is the most accurate early detection technique.
The following conditions increase risk for breast cancer:
- history of breast cancer in close family members (mother, sister, daughter)
- obesity
- high-fat diet
- increasing age
- early first menstrual cycle or late onset of menopause
- never had children or had first child after age 30
However, more than 75 percent of all breast cancers occur in women with no known risk. To determine your risk for developing breast cancer you may use the National Cancer Institute's breast cancer risk assessment tool.
Breast self-examination (BSE) is easy to learn, convenient and free. Brochures describing how to perform BSE are available from the Center for Breast Health, the American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute.
Warning Signs
Warning signs of breast cancer include:
- lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
- change in size or shape of breast
- change in size or shape of nipple
- nipple discharge
- change in color or texture of breast skin (i.e. dimpling, puckering or scaliness) Warning Signs of Breast Cancer
See your doctor immediately if you have one of these warning signs!
Medicare and many insurance companies also include mammograms as a covered benefit. Vouchers are available at Center for Breast Health, call 563-421-7625 or toll free 1-800-215-1444.
American Cancer Society Guidelines for Mammograms
The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older have an annual mammogram, an annual clinical breast exam by a health care professional, and perform monthly self breast examinations. Guidelines for Mammograms.
Women ages 20-39 should have a clinical breast exam by a health care professional every 3 years.
All women should perform breast self-examinations on a monthly basis.
For more information on breast health or breast cancer, call the Center for Breast Health at 563-421-7625 or toll-free at 1-800-215-1444.