Over 250,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the United States alone. Of these more than 13,000 are under the age of 40.
Over the course of their a lifetime, breast cancer will afflict 1 out of every 8 women. What's even more frightening, is that 76% of the women who are diagnosed show no risk-factors, making breast cancer a concern for all women. The causes of breast cancer remain unknown, so prevention is difficult to achieve. Early detection is your best protection, so it is critical to follow the following guidelines which have been provided by the American Cancer Society:
You are encouraged to become familiar with her own breasts, learn the breast self-exam (BSE) and practice it on a regular basis. Learn the signs and symptoms to report to your healthcare provider and have a mammograms every year (after age 35). No one method is 100% effective, so it's important to follow all of the guidelines.
To learn the correct method of breast self-exam, ask your doctor or nurse-midwife for instruction. The best time to do this several days after the end of your monthly period, every month.