Risk Factors & Screening
It is important to remember that not all women who have a gene mutationA permanent change that affects genes. will develop breast cancer. The reasons for this are not clear and are being studied. Because of the high rate of breast cancer in this country, women who do not have a mutation are still at risk for this disease.
All women should know about risk factors for breast cancer, such as:
- Family history of breast cancer
- First pregnancy over 30 years of age
- Early onsetThe time when symptoms first appear. of menstruation (periods)
- Aging
- Pre-cancerous changes in the breast (Atypical hyperplasiaA non-cancerous condition in which cells look abnormal under a microscope and are increased in number. / lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
- High exposure to certain kinds of radiationWaves of high power, invisible energy. It can be used as treatment against tumors. to the chest (not routine X-rays)
These factors all affect the risk of having breast cancer in different ways. Some affect cancer risk more than others.
All women should also know ways to detect breast cancer early:
- MammographyAn X-ray photograph of the breasts.
- Monthly Breast Self-ExaminationPersonally checking your own breasts, underarm and armpit for lumps or other changes such as redness, swelling or soreness.
- Clinical Breast ExaminationWhen a nurse or doctor checks a woman's breasts for lumps or changes in size and shape.
The purpose of screeningTesting for a certain disease. is to find cancer at the earliest possible stage. Hopefully, early treatment will prevent cancer from spreading to other areas of the body.