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| Three Step Plan for Preventive Care of the
Breasts |
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All women are at risk for developing breast cancer, though some women
are at higher risk than others. That is why it is so important to follow
this three-step plan for preventive care. Although breast cancer cannot
be prevented as of now, early detection of this condition provides the
greatest possibility of successful treatment.
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| What is the three-step plan? |
| Routine care is the best way to keep a woman's
breasts healthy. Detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages is the main
goal of routine breast care. In the process, other benign conditions, such
as fibrocystic breasts, may be discovered. |
| Step 1. Breast Self-Examination (BSE) |
| A woman should begin practicing breast self-examination
by the age of 20 and continue the practice throughout her life - even during
pregnancy and after menopause. BSE should be done regularly at the same
time every month. Regular BSE teaches a woman to know how her breasts normally
feel so that she can more readily detect any change. Changes may include:
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- development of a lump
- a discharge other than breast milk
- swelling of the breast
- skin irritation or dimpling
- nipple abnormalities (i.e., pain, redness, scaliness, turning inward)
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| If a woman notices any of these changes, she should
contact her doctor as soon as possible for evaluation. |
| Step 2. Clinical Examination |
| A breast examination by a physician trained to
evaluate breast problems should be part of a woman's physical examination.
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- In most western countries, women between the ages of 20 and 39, have
a clinical breast examination by a doctor, every three years.
- After age 40, women have a breast exam by a doctor every year. A
physical breast examination by a physician is very similar to the procedures
used for breast self-examination.
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| Step 3. Mammography |
Mammography is a low-dose x-ray of the breasts
to find changes that may occur. Mammography can detect cancer or other problems
before a lump becomes large enough to be felt, as well as assist in the
diagnosis of other breast problems. If a lump is detected, a biopsy is required
to confirm the presence of cancer.
When to begin and how often to have mammograms is controversial. A woman
should talk to her doctor and decide when to have a mammogram, based on
her overall health and medical history, risk factors, and personal opinion
or preference.
Women in their 40s and older should begin having a screening mammogram on
a regular basis. A diagnostic mammogram may be required when the doctor
has a doubt during a screening mammogram. |
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