Breast Cancer - The Ways Of Detecting It

By: Allison Thompson

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 comes to detecting cancer of the breast in its early stages is by doing a breast examination or using a mammography as these are the more favored methods. In fact in studies carried out the smaller the breast cancer once it has been detected then there is a much higher chance the person with it will survive.

As we are now learning through our doctors and through advertisements it is important that women learn how to carry out regular examinations of their breasts for themselves. The reason for this being is that they will be much more aware of any changes that have taken place since the last time they checked them. Also it is important for those women who have a history in their family of women suffering from breast cancer to have a regular mammogram test. By doing this they will be assured that the disease can be detected at the earliest stages of growth as possible. In fact today these forms of examination as used as the basis for detecting any form of breast cancer in women.

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.

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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Certainly 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 helpful articles and guides that will help to make dealing with this form of cancer much easier to handle.

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