A woman’s breasts undergo changes throughout her
lifetime. They can increase or decrease in size, become lumpy and painful, feel
firm or less elastic and sag. It is important that a woman becomes familiar with
the natural changes that occur as her breasts mature.
All cells in the body undergo orderly, controlled cycles
of growth, repair and death. Cancer develops when some cells become abnormal,
experience uncontrolled growth and spread to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is
the leading cause of cancer death, second only to lung cancer. All women are at
risk for breast cancer and this risk increases with age. Other risk factors
related to breast cancer include:
- Family history – having a mother, sister, or daughter
diagnosed with breast cancer (note- under 10% of breast cancers are due to
heredity)
- Personal history - menstruation before age 12, never
had children or first child after age 30, menopause after age 50, history of
breast, uterine or ovarian cancer, breast biopsy with pre-cancerous changes
The American Cancer Society (ACS) states that most women
who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease or
other known risk factors.
A woman can take an active part in her health care by
discussing with her healthcare provider her risk for breast cancer, symptoms to
report, lifestyle choices to decrease cancer risk, and when to begin screening
exams. According to the ACS, early detection of breast cancer offers a woman
more treatment options and a greater chance for survival.
An early detection program for breast cancer consists of:
- Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) – This practice
helps a woman to become familiar with the normal look and feel of her
breasts. If she finds anything unusual, she should report this to her doctor
for evaluation.
- Mammograms – A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the
breasts. It may be able to find a breast cancer that is too small for a
woman or her doctor to feel.
- Clinical breast examination (CBE) – This is a
physical examination of the breasts by a qualified health care professional.
It should be part of a woman’s routine check-up.
American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection
of breast cancer:
Age 20-39:
- Clinical breast examination by a doctor or nurse every
three years
- Monthly breast self-examination
Age 40 +:
- Annual mammogram
- Annual clinical breast examination by a doctor or nurse
(CBE should be done close to the time of the mammogram)
- Monthly breast self-examination
DuPage County Health Department’s Breast and Cervical
Cancer screening program, "Why Wait?" recommends the following
organizations for more information on breast health, breast cancer, mammography,
how to do a breast self examination, and other information on cancer:
