As a woman, you might sometimes feel like your health must take a backseat to everyone else’s needs—but when it comes to cancer screenings, you should always put yourself first.
In 2015, 231,840 new cases of breast cancer are estimated to be diagnosed among women, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer can affect women, no matter what their age. Here’s a closer look at how to keep your health on track with simple screenings.
Beating Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women besides skin cancer and also the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Ensuring proper breast health should start early in life.
“When women turn 20 years old, they should begin monthly breast self-exams,” said Shelley Wilkinson, RN, Nurse Navigator, Marie Yeager Cancer Center.
“After age 20, women should also have a clinical breast exam (CBE) performed by their physician or another health professional at least every three years.”
When performing a breast self-exam, women should consult with their physicians if they feel anything that is hard, doesn’t move, or feels different, as this could be an indication of breast cancer.
By age 40, women should have a baseline mammogram and continue having annual mammograms thereafter.
“Mammograms can save lives,” said Wilkinson. “When a woman undergoes this screening annually, even the smallest change in her breasts can be identified.”
Although the American Cancer Society recommends obtaining annual mammograms beginning at age 40, there are risk factors associated with breast cancer that could cause a woman younger than 40 to need a mammogram, including:
- If your first menstrual period occurred before the age of 12
- If you had a breast biopsy conducted due to a risk factor of breast cancer
- If your sister, aunt, grandmother, or mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer
“Breast tissue in younger, perimenopausal women tends to be more dense than women over age 40, which makes it more difficult to detect lumps in the breast via a mammogram,” said Wilkinson. “As a result, a dedicated breast magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] may be recommended for those women under the age of 40 who are at a high risk for breast cancer.”
Reduce Your Risk
When it comes to cancer, there are some risk factors you can’t control. These include age, race, and family history. However, you can reduce your overall risk through lifestyle changes.
- Eat right. Aim to eat a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean proteins such as fish, chicken, and tofu.
- Forgo that second glass of wine. Excess alcohol consumption can lead to a greater risk of cancer, so women should limit themselves to one alcoholic beverage a day.
- Get moving. Pick an activity you enjoy doing most days of the week, such as walking or swimming, and keep at it.
- Kick the habit. If you smoke, it’s never too late to quit. Smoking cigarettes can increase your risk of breast cancer.
To learn more about oncology services at Lakeland Health, click here
Oct 15, 2015 Reporting from Niles, MI
Women’s Cancer Screenings: What You Need to Know
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/health-wellness/ask-the-experts/ask-the-experts/2015/10/15/women-s-cancer-screenings-what-you-need-to-know
Oct 15, 2015
Oct 15, 2015
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
As a woman, you might sometimes feel like your health must take a backseat to everyone else’s needs—but when it comes to cancer screenings, you should always put yourself first.
In 2015, 231,840 new cases of breast cancer are estimated to be diagnosed among women, according to the American Cancer So
Women’s Cancer Screenings: What You Need to Know
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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