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Breast Cancer - Detect It Sooner Rather Than Later |
By:
Allison Thompson |
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Of the various different types of cancer that people are now getting, breast cancer is one of the more treatable of them. But it is important that if a woman wants hers to be treated effectively it needs to be detected in the very early stages of growth. In fact because of the way it can be detected today breast cancer is considered to be one of the more favorable forms of cancer that can now be treated.
The best ways for helping to detect breast cancer in its early stages today is through either a breast examination being carried our or the use of a mammography test. These are the most favored ways being used today of detecting this form of cancer. In studies which have been carried out it has been found that in those women who have their cancer detected in its early stages have a greater chance of survival.
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 mammography is done with an x ray machine that can then detect most types of breast cancer in their very earliest stages and can be used to detect it in both women and men. The main advantage to be had from having a mammography on a regular basis is that it is able to detect the disease when it is still very small and if you were to carry out an external breast examination with your hands you would not actually feel the growth at all.
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.
Yet even though the use of a mammography can help to detect breast cancer in most women today, there is a small number (around 10 to 15%) where this type of test will not detect it. However when a physical examination is carried out it is discovered. Therefore it is extremely important that all women learn the right way of examining their breasts as well as learning what the signs of this disease are. It is preferable if a woman learns how to carry out a self examination each month as they will be more aware of any changes to their bodies structure. However if she feels that she has a problem or is incapable of carry out the examination herself correctly then she should arrange to have a physical examination carried out by her doctor.
Although finding out that you or are loved one has breast cancer is a horrifying experience, no longer does it mean a person's life is at an end. At Cancer Report we provide useful guides and articles that will help to make dealing with this form of cancer much easier to handle. You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article55600.html |
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