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Breast Cancer - Detect It Sooner Rather Than Later

There are many different forms of cancer which people are now being diagnosed with and one of the most treatable of them is breast cancer. However in order for it be treated effectively then it is important that the disease is detected in its early stages of formation. In fact because there are a number of different ways in which this form of cancer can be detected it is considered to be a favorable form of cancer that can be treated and the person cured.

When it actually comes to detecting breast cancer today especially in its early stages of growth then most doctors will use breast examinations and mammography to do this. In studies that have been carried out over the years in to this particular form of cancer the results have been showing that the earlier the disease is detected then the greater chance the woman has of surviving it.

Today women are being advised and told that it is vitally important that they learn how to carry out examinations of their own breasts on a regular basis. The reason for this being that they will be more aware and notice any slight changes to the formation of their breasts that were not there before. Also it is now being highlighted that having a regular mammograph is important as well especially for women where there is a history of breast cancer in their family. Certainly using this form of examination will help to ensure that the cancer is detected at the earliest stage possible. As you will soon find out both these forms of examination are used as the basis in helping to detect breast cancer in women today.

However many women will often ask the question "Just how often do I need to carry out a breast examination or get a mammogram done?" The answer to this is quite simple. For a breast examination a woman should be looking to arrange for her doctor to inspect them on a monthly basis or if she wants she can carry it out herself at home whilst say having a shower.

Whilst when it comes to mammography the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that all women once they reach the age of 40 should have one then and one annually thereafter. The first mammography that takes place after they reach 40 will be used a guideline for all future annual ones. However in women where there is a history of breast cancer in the family or they suffer from other forms of breast complaints then it is important that they under go this particular test when they reach the age of 35.

A mammogram uses an x ray machine which is then able to detect cancer in a woman's or even sometimes in men's breasts. These machines are able to detect the cancer at its earliest stage when it is very small and would not be detected using the more traditional breast examination.

Around 85 to 90% of all the breast cancer that is now being detected and thus treated has been done through the use of mammography. But not only is the number of women being detected and treated for this particular form of cancer increased but the number of women actually dying from it has reduced. In fact in those women who are over the age of 50 and have been diagnosed with having breast cancer today around 30% more are likely to survive.

Although mammography does help to detect breast cancer in most women, there is a small percentage (10-15%) whose form of breast can not be detected using this method. Yet upon carrying out a physical examination it can so it is vital that all women learn the correct way of examining their own breasts for signs of breast cancer. Certainly it is best that a woman does carry out an examination of her own breasts on a monthly basis and if she feels that there may be a problem can as her doctor to then carry out a physical examination as well.

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Although finding out that you or are loved one has breast cancer is a horrifying experience, no longer does it mean a your life is at an end. At Cancer Report we provide useful guides and articles which will make dealing with breast cancer much easier to handle.

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