Breast Cancer Detection

With no known cure, breast cancer survival has always been one of science’s greatest challenges. But being inflicted with the disease does not mean that one is doomed to die from it. Early detection of breast cancer can actually improve a person’s chance of survival from the disease.

Once a cancer is identified while it is still confined to a small area in the breast, the person’s chances of a five-year survival from it are usually greater than 90%. To help in breast cancer detection early on, a woman needs to be really familiar with how her breasts normally looks and feels. This way, if there are unusual changes in her breasts, she would be able to notice them right away. Changes that she should look out for include: inverted nipple, scaling around the nipple, nipple discharges (not milk), swelling, dimpling or puckering, and lumps. If your breasts seem to be exhibiting those symptoms, have yourself checked by your doctor. Although, these are some of the most common signs of breast cancer, these do not confirm that you do have the disease.

There are three basic tests for breast cancer detection: breast self-examinations, clinical examinations, and mammograms. If in the past doctors encourage women to do regular breast self-exams, they do not recommend these as much nowadays. This is due to the fact that this breast cancer detection method has not reduced the number of cancer death, and has even led some women to undergo unnecessary biopsies. Currently, experts are pushing for breast awareness, rather than breast self-exams.

Women who have observed unusual changes in their breasts should visit their health care providers. Clinical exams are periodic screening tests done by health professionals. Women under 40 years old are recommended to undergo this every 3 years. Yearly clinical exams are advisable for women above 40 years old. The clinical exams are also good opportunities for you to consult your doctor about breast awareness and your possible risks of getting the disease. Breast cancer detection in its earliest stages can save a person’s life. Thus, knowing you breasts well enough to see any distinctive changes will dictate your survival chances from the disease.

Mammograms have been the topic of numerous jokes. But little do people know that a mammogram is a reliable breast cancer detection method. Since there are certain instances where breast cancer does not exhibit the usual symptoms, some people never had any idea that they have the disease until it has reached its late stages.

There are other unconventional methods of breast cancer detection in the earlier stages. Ultrasound is another alternative for most women below 35 years old who have a strong family history of the disease. A mammogram is not a 100% accurate technique. And since younger women’s breast tissues are thinker and denser than those of older women, mammograms are rather difficult to read.

However, despite the mammograms’ limitations in detecting certain breast cancer cells, it remains to be the most efficient and important method in the early detection of breast cancer in women.

Since breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, there is a need for women to be aware of the most important facts about the disease. There are several organizations that offer early breast cancer detection seminar. These seminars mostly offer breast cancer detection tips, and counseling. Some support groups even offer financial assistance to breast cancer victims and their families.

Breast awareness continue to be the most effective and convenient way of breast cancer detection. Getting to know our breasts is not a hard task. Moreover, think of the trade-off. It might just save your life.