Checking Your Breast For Cancer
The statistics concerning breast cancer should motivate you to check your breast for breast cancer each month. According to Breastcancer.org about 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In 2019, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 62,930 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.
While you cannot prevent breast cancer, you can take steps to detect it earlier to prevent further spreading of the deadly disease. One step you can make is to check your breasts for cancer.
Frequency
You should be performing a monthly self-breast examination. Annual mammograms help detect cancer before you feel a lump, but breast self-exams help you get familiar with how they look and feel so you can notify your doctor if you notice any changes.
How To Do A Breast Self-Exam
The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. explains how to perform a breast self-exam. They demonstrate how it can be accomplished in the shower, in front of a mirror, or lying down.
The Importance Of Mammograms
Monthly breast self-exams help fight breast cancer, but they do not replace the importance of mammograms. A mammogram can detect tumors before they can be felt. Mammograms and self-checks should be coupled with regular medical visits.
Book your appointment with Marietta OB-GYN, Affiliates, P.A. today. We will examine your breasts and provide you with mammography referrals as part of our Women’s Wellness Exams.
