Breast Cancer Awareness Month
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer by age 75 years old. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a perfect time for us to remember that regular breast screening can help discover cancer earlier and at a more curable stage.
One of the most important parts of regular breast screening is the self-breast exam. This should be done each month by all adult women. Having a high degree of self-awareness and knowing what is normal for you is important. This allows you to recognize if there are any changes (even small changes) in your breast tissue and report them to your health practitioner. Breast cancer is most often found by a woman herself, and according to the ACOG, “This happens in almost one half of all cases of breast cancer in women aged 50 years and older. In women younger than 50 years, more than 70% of cases of breast cancer are found by the women themselves.” Here are instructions on how to properly perform a self-breast exam.
In addition to self-exam, a clinical breast exam performed by a health practitioner should be done every 1-3 years for women aged 29-39 years and annually for women 40 years old and older. In addition, annual or biennial mammography is recommended to start no later than 50 years old, and often younger for some patients if your physician recommends that. Talk to your doctor about what is the best age to start for you. Our Dr. Bader says “What’s most important is to have a good relationship with a doctor you trust so you can have shared decision-making and develop a prevention plan that’s right for you.”
Learn more about breast cancer screening and questions to ask your doctor here. And, from all of us at SkinTē, be well. ❤️