Tips to prevent, detect breast cancer

BUCKHANNON — Before ever being diagnosed with breast cancer, women have two important tools they can use to beat the disease — prevention and early intervention.

One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer, determined a 2009 review from the National Cancer Institute.

According to Kathy Helmick, a cancer information specialist with the WV Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program, 95-99 percent of women diagnosed survive if the disease is found early.

Helmick says women can’t change some risk factors, such as a family history of breast cancer, gender and growing older.

But they can remember to get screenings and increase their chances of early detection.

Women ages 20-40 should visit a doctor or nurse for a clinical breast exam every one to three years, according to Helmick.

Women age 40 or older should go every year, she said.

Also at age 40, they should start getting yearly mammograms.



For the complete article see the 10-08-2012 issue.

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