You may know the statistics: Each year in America, there are about 250,000 cases of invasive breast cancer and 60,000 cases of non-invasive breast cancer. The annual death rate from invasive breast cancer is about 40,000 women annually. You stand a one out of eight chance of developing breast cancer in your lifetime.
Some of the risk factors for breast cancer are:
· Family history of breast cancer
· BRCA gene mutation
· History of abnormal breast biopsy
· Obesity
· Previous chest irradiation
· Dense breasts
· Menopause after age 55
· Estrogen progesterone therapy
Thanks to the increased use of screening mammograms, the death rate from breast cancer has decreased. This is because more cancers are being detected early, when they are most likely to respond to treatment.
The American Cancer Society, the North American Menopausal Society, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology all agree on the following schedule for screening mammography:
· Starting at age 40, have a mammography once a year until age 55
· If you have no risk factors, continue with a mammogram every two years until age 75
· After age 75, if you remain in good health, continue to get a mammogram every two years
For additional information, or to schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation, call (631) 724-6262.