Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Breast self-exam alone has not been shown to reduce deaths from breast cancer. Clinical breast exam by a health care professional, breast self-exam, and mammography are currently recommended for early detection. Routine breast cancer screening has the potential to reduce deaths from breast cancer in women 50 – 70 years of age.

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer should start routine screening at least 10 years prior to the age of onset of breast cancer in their relatives. Breast cancer risk can be inherited from both paternal and maternal sides of the family.

• All women over 20 years of age are encouraged to perform monthly breast self-exams. Ask your health care provider about doing the self-exam.
• Women age 20 – 40 are advised to have a routine breast exam with their health care provider at least every 3 years.
• Women over age 40 are advised to have a clinical breast exam and mammography every 1 – 2 years.
• Women age 50 and older should have a clinical breast exam and mammography every year.
• Women with an estimated life expectancy of at least 5 – 10 years should generally continue routine annual mammograms and clinical breast exam. Discuss this with your health care provider.