As you may or may not know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I want to challenge each and every woman out there to get checked for breast cancer if you haven't done so.
The guidelines for early detection of breast cancer according to the American Cancer Society are:
- Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health
- Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over
- Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
Some women - because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors - should be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. (The number of women who fall into this category is small: less than 2% of all the women in the US.) Talk with your doctor about your history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age.
Early detection is absolutely critical, so please accept this challenge and get checked this month!