Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Fortunately, when breast cancer is detected early, in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is almost 100 percent, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).
Since early detection is the key to successful treatment, here are 3 steps from NBCF for achieving an early diagnosis:
1. Self-Awareness
Familiarize yourself with your breasts so you know how they normally look and feel. Having a baseline awareness of your breasts will help make it easier to detect any changes, such as a lump or thickening, change in shape or size, dimpling or puckering in the breast skin, a nipple turned inward, discharge from nipple, or scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola.
2. Well-Woman Exam
The NBCF recommends that women visit their gynecologist or primary care physician for a Well-Woman exam once a year. A Well-Woman exam includes a routine pelvic exam and pap smear and a brief breast exam to check for abnormalities. This routine visit is an ideal time to discuss your breast health.
3. Mammogram
Women aged 40 and older should get a mammogram once a year. An x-ray of the breast, mammograms are an effective way to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, before it can be detected by touch and it’s easiest to treat.
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