October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and at South Macomb Internal Medicine, we want to stress the importance of early detection. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, “if detected early, breast cancer has a 91% five-year survival rate.”
There are many risk factors associated with breast cancer, and it’s important to be aware of them. Age, gender, family history, and lifestyle choices are all factors that can contribute to your likelihood of developing breast cancer. However, the most important thing you can do is to get screened regularly.
Screenings You Should Be Getting
The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 45 get a mammogram every year. If you are under 45, you should talk to your doctor about when you should start getting mammograms and how often you should be getting them. In addition to mammograms, you should also perform monthly self-breast exams. This way you can become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel so that you can more easily detect any changes.
If you do find a lump or something that doesn’t seem right, don’t panic. Lumps are often benign and not indicative of cancer. However, it’s still important to have them checked out by a doctor just in case. Many women delay going to the doctor because they are embarrassed or scared, but it is so important to take action as soon as possible if you think something might be wrong.
At South Macomb Internal Medicine, we care about your health and well-being. We want to encourage all of our patients—both current and future—to take action this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Remember, early detection is key. If you have any questions or concerns about breast cancer screenings or anything else related to your health, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or schedule an appointment with us today. At South Macomb Internal Medicine the patient comes first. Our priority is and always has been patient care before all else.
