Q&A: Breast Cancer Prevention
By Terresa Jung, MD
Gynecology
Portland Downtown Office
Portland South Office
THE PORTLAND CLINIC ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM BREAST CANCER?
A: The key to protection is early detection through breast self-exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms. While there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, these screening strategies give you the best chance of finding it in its earliest, most treatable stages, should it develop.
Q: ARE BREAST SELF- EXAMS REALLY EFFECTIVE? I'VE HEARD CONFLICTING INFORMATION.
A: According to statistics, breast self-examination (BSE) can increase the chances of false-positives and unnecessary procedures, and does not necessarily increase life expectancy. However, statistics don't always tell the whole story; some women just feel safer knowing what's normal for their own breasts. For them, BSE may be helpful. If you choose to do BSEs, have a medical professional show you the correct way, and do them every month, right after your menstrual cycle. Become familiar with your normal breast tissue, and if you see or feel a change, get it checked out.
Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE A CLINICAL BREAST EXAM?
A: The American Cancer Society recommends having a clinical breast exam (a manual examination of your breast tissue by a medical professional) every three years from age 20 to 39, and once a year after age 40.
Q: IF I HAVE NO FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER, CAN I SKIP THE MAMMOGRAMS?
A: That's not a good idea. About 90 percent of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of the disease. Mammograms offer the best chance of finding breast cancer early, before it can be felt. The Portland Clinic recommends getting a mammogram every year or two between age 40 and 50, and every year after that.
Q: WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER?
A: I f you have more than two first-degree relatives (parents or siblings) with breast cancer or ovarian cancer, consider genetic testing to determine your risk of hereditary breast cancer (men can get this, too). Depending on the results, your doctor may recommend that you start getting mammograms earlier than age 40.
Q: ARE THERE ANY PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT COULD HELP REDUCE MY RISK OF GETTING BREAST CANCER?
A: There seems to be more breast cancer among people with a higher than normal body mass index (BMI), so maintaining a healthy weight may reduce your risk. Avoiding tobacco also may lower your risk. At the very least, these two measures will improve your overall health, so I absolutely recommend them.
BY TERRESA JUNG, M.D., GYNECOLOGY, THE
PORTLAND CLINIC - SOUTH AND DOWNTOWN
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