This year, more than 268,600 women and 2,600 men will be diagnosed with
invasive breast cancer (cancer that has spread from where it started in
the breast into the surrounding healthy tissue). More than 42,260 will
die from the disease. If diagnosed early and treated before it spreads,
five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99%.
You might be at an increased risk for breast cancer if you are a woman who:
- Has abnormal genes, such as mutated BRCA-1, BRCA-2 or PALB-2 genes.
- Began her menstrual period before age 12 or began menopause after age 55.
- Used hormone replace therapy (HRT) with estrogen and progesterone for more
than 10 years.
- Has a family history of breast cancer, colorectal cancer or ovarian cancer.
- Has a personal history of ovarian cancer.
- Is currently using or has recently used birth control pills.
- Has never had children or had her first child after age 30.
- Smokes or uses tobacco.
You might be at an increased risk for breast cancer if you are a woman
or man who:
- Is overweight or obese.
- Is not physically active.
- Is over age 40. Most breast cancer is diagnosed in women over 40. On average,
men with breast cancer are diagnosed at age 68.
- Has already had cancer in one breast.
- Has a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
- Has had radiation therapy close to his or her chest.
Symptoms
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Get screened according to guidelines.
If you do notice any of the following symptoms, talk with your health
care professional:
- A lump, hard knot or thickening in the breast.
- A lump under your arm.
- A change in the size or shape of a breast.
- Nipple pain, tenderness or discharge, including bleeding.
- Itchiness, scales, soreness or rash on nipple.
- A nipple turning inward or inverted.
- A change in skin color and texture (dimpling, puckering or redness).
- A breast that feels warm or swollen.
Early Detection
- In your 20s and 30s, have a clinical breast exam by a health care professional
at least every three years.
- Beginning at age 40, have an annual clinical breast exam and mammogram.
- If you are at high risk, talk with your health care professional about
beginning annual mammograms at a younger age and/or having a magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI).
- If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk to your health care
professional about genetic testing.
- When you reach menopause, talk with your health care professional about
whether you should have hormone replacement therapy.
- Know what is normal for your breasts. If you notice changes, see your health
care professional right away.
The American Cancer Society reports that many people have put aside important
cancer screenings because of Covid 19 and its variants.
At MCMC many changes have been made in our workspaces to facilitate physical
distancing. This includes spacing out appointment times to limit crowding
in waiting rooms, separation of seating in waiting rooms, increased cleaning
and sanitizing practices, health and temperature screenings for every
patient and employee and of course, universal masking.
If it is time to schedule your mammogram, please call
541-298-4000 for a timely appointment.