We all know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But how much do you know about your own risk for breast cancer?

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer (other than skin cancer) diagnosed in women in the U.S. In fact, one in eight women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime.

The good news: Because of early detection from screening mammograms and better cancer treatments, deaths from the disease have dropped significantly over the past two decades. According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today.

The Aultman Breast Care Center endorses the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for screening, which encourage yearly mammograms beginning at age 45 for women of average risk. Women with higher than average risk may benefit from additional and earlier screening.

We also believe all women should be familiar with the known benefits and limitations associated with breast cancer screening, as well as their personal risk of developing breast cancer. We encourage you to use the following information to discuss your personal breast cancer risk with your physician and decide on a screening plan for you.

Factors that slightly increase your risk:

• Menstrual cycle before age 12.
• Late menopause after age 55.
• Alcohol intake of more than one drink per day.
• Obesity.
• Hormone replacement within the last five years.
• Negative breast biopsy with proliferative disease (no atypical cells).

Factors that greatly increase your risk:

• Breast biopsy with atypia.
• History of chest radiation for Hodgkin’s disease.
• BRCA2 mutation carrier.
• History of invasive breast cancer.
• Biopsy proven lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).
• Two first-degree relatives with premenopausal breast cancer.
• BRCA1 mutation carrier.

In addition to the factors listed above, it is important to be familiar with your breasts so any changes can be promptly reported to your physician. If you have any questions about risk factors or the guidelines, please feel free to call Aultman’s Breast Navigator at 330-363-6025.

Sources:

• Facts and Figures 2018, the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.