TUESDAY TIPS - Awareness Information: Early Detection, and Mammograms

This month (breast cancer awareness month), I've gathered up everything I've come across that has to do with breast cancer awareness. Here are a few of the things I've found...

From the American Cancer Society:

Five Things To Tell Your Friends About Breast Cancer

1. ALL women can get breast cancer - even those with no family history of the disease.

2. The TWO most important risk factors are being a woman, and growing older.

3. Women diagnosed with breast cancer EARLY, when the cancer is small and has not spread, have a high chance of surviving it. Getting a mammogram is the best thing you can do to help find breast cancer early. If you notice any breast changes, tell your doctor without delay.

4. You can help reduce your chances of having breast cancer by doing regular physical activity, keeping a healthy weight, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.

5. Through early detection and improved treatments, more women than ever are surviving breast cancer and celebrating more birthdays.

Three Steps To Finding Breast Cancer Early

1. Mammograms - yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.

2. Breast Exam - breast exams by your doctor or nurse should be part of a health exam about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 or older.

3. Breast Self-Awareness - Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their doctor or nurse. Breast self-exam is an option for women starting in their 20s.

Women with certain risk factors - family history, genetic tendency, or certain other factors - may need to be tested with MRI in addition to mammograms. (The number of women who fall into this category is small - less than 2% of all the women in the US). Talk with your doctor about your history and whether you should have an MRI.

If you are due for your annual mammogram - schedule it NOW! October is a great month to remember to get your checkup. A mammogram saved my life - it could save yours, too.

-Kara