Breastlink founder Dr. John West talks about early detection of breast cancer. Detecting breast cancer early is critical to a good prognosis and less aggressive therapy.
Dr. West urges women to start yearly screening mammograms at age 40 and continue receiving them until at least 75, and even longer if the woman is in good health.
About 20 percent of breast cancers develop in women under 40. For them, the only method of early detection is breast self-exams. (Young women’s breasts are more susceptible to radiation, which is why average risk women shouldn’t start them until age 40.) Breastlink is dedicated to teaching young women how to perform breast self-exams with confidence. Women need to know their own breast patterns. Once you understand how your breasts normally feel, you’ll be able to detect small changes before your doctor does.
If you find a change, go to a doctor who will perform a diagnostic mammogram, a diagnostic ultrasound, or maybe even a core needle biopsy. If the tests are negative, come back for follow-ups at two, four, and six months, to make sure nothing has changed. If you detect any changes in between, call your doctor and come in early.
When you combine these screening techniques with the latest imaging breakthroughs such as ultrasound, MRI, and molecular imaging, doctors are able to find breast cancers very early and treat them easily, giving you the best chance of survival.
To learn more about Dr. West, Breastlink, and breast cancer, visit our website: www.breastlink.com
