Breast Cancer: What Most Women Dread

For some women, to be diagnosed with breast cancer is like getting a death sentence. The feelings of vulnerability and hopelessness are not only out of fear for her life but also because of the possible loss of an important physical feature, her breasts.

Breast cancer is not yet preventable and all women, and some men, face varying risks of getting the disease, but survival is no longer hopeless. With the availability of modern medicine and early detection using modern screening methods, the survival rate is almost 100%. Even if detected at later stages, the survival rate is still almost 90%.

To prevent or to detect breast problems, every woman should practice the three step plan that follows

Step 1

Self Breast Examination (SBE) is a monthly ritual that all women from age twenty should faithfully do. SBE should be done at almost regular intervals and the woman should take the effort to know her breasts. She should remember the feel of her breasts so that changes can be detected. SBE may continue even during pregnancies.

Self breast examination may detect some abnormalities like nipple discharge, dimpling on the breast surface, or a lump. These may not turn out to be real concerns but it is best to consult a doctor at once.

Learn the correct way to conduct self breast examination from a specially trained medical professional.

Step 2

For women aged 20 to 39, it is recommended by the American Cancer Society that they undergo a clinical exam by a medical practitioner trained on breast problems every three years. From about age forty, the clinical exam should be every year.

Step 3

At age 40, a woman should not just rely on self breast examination. A mammogram every 2 or up to 3 years shall be added to the screenings so far. According to the American Cancer Society, the recommended mammogram is once a year. However, if a woman has family members with breast cancer, a mammogram maybe needed even before she is 40 . A mammogram may also be needed to verify any abnormalities found during self breast examination.

The final decision on when to start having yearly mammograms depends on the woman concerned , in consultation with her health care provider.

Very small lumps that can not be felt during self breast examination can be detected through mammogram. Then, anything suspicious found during mammograms is verified with a biopsy to determine if the lump is malignant or benign.

Breast cancer is not exclusive to women. A man has a 1% chance to develop breast cancer. Even a family history of cancer among female family members is also a risk for a man to develop breast cancer. The treatment is just like that which is applied to women.