BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Your best defense

The best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages is to routinely check your breasts for signs and symptoms of the disease. There are three basic methods:

Mammograms are X-ray pictures of the breast. They can detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, even before a lump can be felt. All women 40 and older should have a mammogram every year. If you are younger than 40 with either a family history of breast cancer or other concerns about personal risk, talk with your health care provider about risk assessment, when to start getting mammograms and how often to have them.

Clinical breast exam is performed by a health care provider who carefully checks your breasts and underarm areas for any lumps or changes that may be present. Many women have a clinical breast exam performed when they get their Pap test. Women should have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years between the ages of 20 and 39 and every year after 40.

Breast self-exam (BSE) involves two main steps, looking at and feeling your breasts for any change from normal. If you notice any change in the normal look or feel of your breasts, see your health care provider. All women should perform monthly BSE by age 20. BSE should be done once a month, a few days after the last day of your period. If you no longer have periods, do a BSE on the same day each month. At your next appointment, ask your health care provider to show you the or BSE.