Breast cancer, the most common form of cancer to strike women other than non-melanoma skin cancer, kills more than 40,000 women in the U.S. each year. Doctors know a woman's risk of breast cancer can be elevated because of family history, not having given birth before age 30, or other factors.
There are ways to reduce the risk of this disease. Here are four key steps:
Take advantage of the screening triple play for your best chance at catching breast cancer early. Combine regular breast self-exams beginning in your 20s; clinical breast exams every three years in your 20s and 30s, and yearly after 40; and an annual mammogram, beginning at age 40. Your doctor may recommend you begin mammograms earlier if you are at higher risk.
According to Phamela De Guzman, MD, a family medicine physician with Edward Medical Group, mammograms, especially three-dimensional (3D) mammography, also known as breast tomosynthesis, are the best way to find tumors early, sometimes several years before they can be felt.
"If breast cancer is detected early enough, there is a 95 percent survival rate in five years," says Dr. De Guzman. "3D mammography is recommended for all women, especially those who have dense breast tissue or a family history of breast cancer."
Maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise and a diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and reasonable portions of lean protein and healthy fats.
If you smoke, quit. Drink moderately, if at all.
Know the symptoms. These might include: a new or changing lump in the breast, discharge from the nipple, pain or tenderness that doesn't go away, a change in the shape of the breast or flaky skin on the breast. See your doctor if any of these conditions apply to you.
Dr. De Guzman is accepting new patients at EMG's office at 16519 S. Route 59 in Plainfield. To schedule an appointment, visit www.EEHealth.org/find-a-doc or call (630) 646-5020. For more information about EMG, call (630) 527-6363 or visit www.EEHealth.org/EMG.
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