Who is at risk?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, excluding skin cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer accounts for one of every three cancers diagnosed in American women. Known risk factors for breast cancer include:
- Age
- Family History
- Age at First Birth
- Early Menarche
- Late Menopause
Other risk factors that can be modified and controlled include:
- Alcohol Consumption
- Post-menopausal Hormone Use
- Obesity after Menopause
Reducing the Risk
Early detection of breast cancer significantly improves treatment and survival. The American Cancer Society guidelines for early detection, for women without breast cancer symptoms, include:
- Mammography
- Clinical Breast Examination
- Breast Self-Examination
Mammography is considered the best available method for diagnosing breast cancer at an early stage when treatment can be most effective. A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray picture of the breast. On average, mammography will detect about 90 percent of the breast cancers in women without symptoms.
The American Cancer Society predicts a woman living in the United States has 1 in 8 risk of developing breast cancer. Mammograms save lives by detecting cancers early, reducing the incidence rate of advanced breast cancer.
Accreditation
To meet the high standards of image quality, Fisher-Titus Medical Center's Mammography Program is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and is in compliance with FDA Mammography Quality Standards Act.
