Breast Care (2) Posts

Although every person is different, getting a breast cancer diagnosis is never easy for anyone and navigating the next steps is often an overwhelming process.

Before surgery can be scheduled (if it’s necessary) and before treatment can begin, your provider and care team will use tests and exams to determine which of the five stages of breast cancer you have, by figuring out where it is in your body (and how much there is).

When you prepare for your annual check-up, take some time to consider questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Remember, the annual physicals is a chance for you and your doctor to be proactive about preventative health care and screening tests are an important part of that - including breast cancer screening for women. Here are a few questions related to breast cancer screening that you may want to add to your list. 

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer will need surgery as part of their treatment. There are different types of breast cancer surgery depending on each patient's needs. If you or a loved one are diagnosed with breast cancer, you should learn more about surgical options for breast cancer care. Then talk to your doctor about which surgery is best for you.

Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among American women. (The first is skin cancer.) Just about 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a high chance that you or someone you know will be affected by this disease. The good news?-- And there's a lot of it -- Death rates from breast cancer have declined since 1989 because of earlier screening, increased awareness, and better treatments. (Source for statistics: American Cancer Society)

A mammogram is a simple x-ray of the breast that is used to find abnormalities in breast tissue. Doctors also compare one year's mammogram to previous tool at finding breast cancer.

Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of dying from the disease by 25% or more. What else should you know about mammograms?