Breast Cancer Screening

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a great time to bring awareness to the importance of early breast cancer screening.  Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, and early detection can help to improve survival rates (1).  Screening is performed by having a mammogram, an x-ray of the breast which can detect cancer. It’s important to talk to your doctor about prevention and early screening.

 – If you are 40-49: talk with your doctor about when to start getting a mammogram, and how often they are needed

– If you are 50-74: it’s important to get a mammogram every 2 years, or more often if you choose

When you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, it’s important to discuss with your doctor if other testing guidelines will be needed.  Additional testing guidelines can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/pdf/BreastCancerScreeningGuidelines.pdf

In addition, you can perform self breast cancer checks one time a month, to help determine any changes in breast tissue.  Early prevention is key to finding and treating breast cancer.

Michelle Webb, PT, DPT

References:

1. https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/OctoberToolkit.aspx