What Every Woman Should Know
- 75% of women diagnosed have no family history of breast cancer.
- Most breast lumps are NOT cancer. More than 80% of biopsied breast abnormalities are proven benign. Less invasive needle biopsy procedures permit evaluation of breast abnormalities without surgery.
- Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer survive. If detected early, breast cancer has a five-year survival rate of more than 95 percent.
- Mammography has helped reduce the breast cancer death rate by nearly 1/3 since 1990.
- Mammography can detect cancer early when it’s most treatable and can be treated less invasively.
- 40% of women have dense breast tissue. Studies show that an automated breast ultrasound screening in conjunction with a mammogram can find more cancers in women with dense breasts.
Our best tool in the fight against breast cancer: Early Detection
There is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk and detect cancer early, when it is more easily treatable. The experts at The Breast Center recommend the following plan for women without symptoms:
- Perform a breast self-exam every month – Women of all ages
- Yearly Clinical Breast Exam with your physician – Women of all ages
- Yearly Mammograms for Women 40+ and high-risk patients. If you are not sure if you are high risk, click here or consult your physician.
- Additional screening may be recommended for women with dense breast tissue or other high-risk factors. More on breast cancer risk assessment
Men and Breast Cancer
Although rare, men can get breast cancer, too. Despite the fact that male breast cancer accounts for fewer than 1% of all cases*, men should recognize the symptoms of breast cancer. Lumps, changes in skin around the breast, or pain in the breast or chest area are symptoms to discuss with your doctor as soon as possible. He or she may recommend a mammogram.
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