Breast Cancer Awareness

Wear your pink ribbon proudly this month because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s important to be aware all year long, but October is a good time for all of us to heighten our awareness of issues related to breast cancer, especially the importance of screening and early detection.

Please reserve some time to make sure that you’re taking advantage of the breast cancer screening tests that are appropriate for your age and situation. Here are some basic guidelines for early detection of breast cancer:

• Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year. As long as they are in good health, they should continue to receive annual mammograms.
  
  
• Women should have clinical breast exams as part of a regular health exam by a health care professional. The American Cancer Society recommends that women in their 20s and 30s receive a clinical breast exam preferably every 3 years and women 40 and over should have a clinical breast exam every year.
  
  
• Breast self-examination is an option for women starting in their 20s. Self-examination has both benefits and limitations, and it should not replace mammograms or clinical breast exams. Women should report any breast changes discovered through self-examination to their doctor right away.
  
  
• Women who have risk factors for breast cancer, for example if they have a family history of breast cancer or if they’ve had breast cancer in past, should discuss frequency of mammograms or other screening tests with their doctors.

Want to personally help spread awareness about breast cancer and early detection this month and throughout the year? Ask a friend if she’s had her annual mammogram. Pin on your pink ribbon and give one to a co-worker. Talk about early detection with your daughter, mom, or neighbor. Lastly, think about visiting The Breast Cancer Site, where simply clicking will help fund mammograms for women in need.