Tips for being proactive about breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, regardless of race or ethnicity. Regular monitoring is the best way to catch breast cancer early when it’s treatable.

Here are some tips to help you be proactive about breast cancer screening:

• Monthly breast self-exams, regular doctor exams and mammograms can help detect lumps or other abnormalities.
• Mammograms are designed to detect early breast cancer. Talk to your doctor to determine the best age for you to start getting a mammogram, based on your health and family history. If you feel a lump, you should always contact your doctor right away, even if your recent mammogram was negative.
• Most importantly know your body, your family history of breast cancer, and your own personal risk factors and discuss these with your doctor.
• Self-awareness is key. Women should be on the lookout for changes in their breasts that might suggest trouble. Nearly half of all breast cancer patients detect their own tumors. It would be false to believe that regular mammograms make us safe from getting breast cancer. Some cancers grow so quickly they may develop between scheduled mammograms and can be especially dangerous. Again, this emphasizes the need for self-awareness.
• Any woman of any age should get a suspicious lump or other breast change checked out. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your breasts.

Experts agree that any woman concerned about breast cancer should discuss her own individual situation with her doctor or other health care provider. Being proactive can save your life, so talk to your doctor today about breast cancer screening.

Contributed by The Physician Alliance, a physician organization representing more than 2,100 primary care and specialty physicians in southeast Michigan. Visit the TPA website at http://thephysicianalliance.org/

Read previously published blog articles from our physician members.

This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your doctor for more information or if you have a medical concern.