Written by
Anita Minghini, MD, Valley Health Breast Center
Facts:
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, with about
one in eight women developing the disease in her lifetime. Thanks to improvements
in early detection, the female breast cancer death rate declined by 38%
from its peak in 1989 to 2014, but breast cancer is the second leading
cause of cancer death in women.
Symptoms & Risk Factors:
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump or mass in the breast.
Less common symptoms include other persistent changes to the breast such
as thickening, swelling, distortion, tenderness, skin irritation, redness,
scaliness and nipple abnormalities.
Many breast cancer risk factors influence lifetime exposure of breast tissue
to hormones. Potentially modifiable factors associated with increased
breast cancer risk include weight gain after the age of 18 and/or being
overweight or obese (for postmenopausal breast cancer), postmenopausal
hormone use (combined estrogen and progestin), physical inactivity and
alcohol consumption.
Factors associated with increased breast cancer risk which cannot be changed
include older age; a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer;
inherited mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2 or other breast cancer susceptibility
genes; certain benign breast conditions; and high breast tissue density.
Screenings:
Early diagnosis is one of the most important factors in treating breast
cancer, before it can be felt and before it has spread outside of the
breast. Mammography, a low-dose x-ray test to examine the tissue that
makes up the breast, allows most cancers to be detected in the early stages.
For women of average risk of breast cancer, recently updated American
Cancer Society screening guidelines recommend that those 40 to 44 years
of age have the option to begin annual mammography, those ages 45 to 54
should have annual mammography, and those 55 years of age and older may
transition to mammography every two years or continue annual mammography.
For some women at high risk of breast cancer, annual breast MRI is recommended
in addition to mammography, typically starting at age 30.
Early detection saves lives. Please talk with your doctor or healthcare
provider about your personal breast cancer risk and prevention strategy
including regular breast exams and mammograms. Remember to report any
breast lump or change to your doctor. If it’s time for your regular
mammogram, schedule it today!
Reference: American Cancer Society “Cancer Facts & Figures 2017”