Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? Each year, the month of October is celebrated as National Breast Cancer Awareness month. The goal is to raise awareness, educate others and to support those who are going through the disease. We want to take this time to discuss early detection.

Discovering cancer of any time in the early stages means you are much more likely to survive. The issue is that the early symptoms of breast cancer often go unnoticed. With that in mind, we have to make sure we are doing our best to stay on top of our health with these early detection tips.

Adult women of all ages should at least do a self-exam once a month. It only takes a few minutes and can be done lying down, in the shower, or in front of a mirror. It's very simple to do and a great habit to include in your self-care routine for the month. Click here for instructions on how to perform a self-exam.

If you are unsure of how to do a self-exam or want a second opinion, you can have your doctor perform an exam in the office. This is a great option if you think you may have felt a lump or any abnormalities while doing a self-exam. Your doctor is there to assist!

Last but not least, women who are age 40 and up should have a mammogram at least once a year. No, it does not hurt and its a quick procedure at the doctor's office. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, your doctor may suggest you get a mammogram earlier than your 40th birthday. It's very important to make sure you schedule your mammograms so work with a doctor to ensure you have it on your calendar.

Early detection is key! Speaking with your doctor and attending your scheduled physicals is important as well. If you are looking for additional resources or want more information about breast cancer, please visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation's website at www.nationalbreastcancer.org.