Facts About Breast Cancer and Detection

One in Eight Women will be Diagnosed with Breast Cancer at Some Point in Life

At this time there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, but there are steps every woman can take to lower the risk. No matter what age, take action to protect your breast health!

• Engage in routine breast health screening. Monthly self-breast exams, yearly clinical breast exams and if over 40, yearly mammograms.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer. Low fat, nutritionally rich foods support healthy cells. Limit intake of fat, salt, and caffeine.
• Engage in moderate exercise daily. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer. Exercise also reduces the level of sex hormones, which decreases breast and reproductive cancers.
• Reduce alcohol intake. Alcohol is consistently associated with increased breast cancer risk. Analysis of over 40 studies suggests that 2 drinks a day (regardless of type) may increase breast cancer risk by 21%.
• Discuss lifestyle choices with your health care provider. Lifestyle choices may impact your cancer risk. For instance, women who choose to breastfeed have slightly reduced risk for breast cancer when compared to those who did not breastfeed. Some types of hormone therapy shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.

American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Facts & Figures, 2005 – 2006

Early Detection is the Best Prevention

The chart below demonstrate how important self-exams and mammographies are for breast cancer detection.

	Average lump found by women who do not practice self-breast exams or have mammograms is the size of a ping-pong ball.
	Average lump found by women who occasionally examine their own breasts is the size of a large button.
	Average lump found by women who practice a self-breast exam each month.
	Average lump found by a healthcare provider with a clinical breast exam.
	Average lump found with a one-time mammogram.
	Average lump found with yearly screening mammograms.