Surviving Breast Cancer Depends on Early Detection

October designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month

SUNDAY, Oct. 5, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- An estimated 211,300 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur in the United States this year.

The earlier these cases are detected and treated, the better the chances the patient will have a complete recovery. The American Cancer Society reports that more than 90 percent of cases are now being diagnosed in the early stages.

That's why October has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Oct. 17 has been designated National Mammography Day.

Most people don't feel ill when they first develop breast cancer, explains Dr. Jennifer Eng-Wong, cancer prevention fellow at the National Cancer Institute. That means the disease is likely to be discovered in its earliest stages only if women get mammograms on a regular basis.

Although breast self-examination has become somewhat controversial -- for potentially giving those who practice it a false sense of security -- many physicians continue to recommend the practice, often called simply BSE.

Those physicians suggest that all women perform a breast self-examination every month. Women who are menstruating should perform the check about seven to 10 days after the start of their periods; women not menstruating should perform the check on the same day each month.

Men should examine their breasts on a regular basis as well, because, although rare, male breast cancer also has the best prognosis if detected and treated early.

Physicians agree that BSEs can't take the place of an annual clinical breast examination by a trained medical practitioner and regular mammograms.

Present guidelines recommend a mammogram yearly for women 50 years of age and older; some physicians use annual mammograms for their patients 40 to 50 years old as well.

More information

To learn more about activities related to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, click here.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
www.healthday.com