| Breast cancer prevention is important for women | | | | previously suffered from breast cancer. |
| to learn about, especially since breast cancer is | | | | A more common way to prevent breast cancer |
| the most commonly occurring cancer in women. | | | | is through mammograms. A mammogram is an |
| The American Cancer Society's web site reports | | | | x-ray of the breast and is the most common |
| that over two-hundred thousand women were | | | | form of prevention. Women who are over forty |
| diagnosed with this disease in 2006 and there are | | | | years of age should get mammograms on a |
| over two million women in the United States who | | | | yearly basis. For women in their twenty's and |
| have received treatment for breast cancer. With | | | | thirty's, the American Cancer Society's web site |
| numbers this staggering, preventing cancer should | | | | recommends getting clinical breast exams at least |
| be a priority for all women. | | | | every three years from a medical professional. |
| The first and easiest step in breast cancer | | | | This test is performed using the tips of the |
| prevention is knowing what you are up against. | | | | fingers to check the entire breast area and under |
| This means learning all about the risk factors that | | | | the arm. In addition to mammograms and clinical |
| may affect you. Family history and genetic | | | | breast exams, women should also perform breast |
| make-up are two risk factors women cannot | | | | self exams each month to recognize any signs of |
| control, but must be aware of when it comes to | | | | lumps or abnormalities in the tissue. |
| prevention. If your mother, grandmother or even | | | | The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is able to |
| sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer, | | | | help women who fall within the lower poverty |
| your risks go up too. | | | | levels, are uninsured or underserved gain access |
| The choices you make in life also become risk | | | | to screenings for breast cancer. This program is |
| factors. Women who take oral contraceptives | | | | called the National Breast and Cervical Cancer |
| could have a greater chance of developing this | | | | Early Detection Program. The CDC's web site |
| deadly disease. Having children before the age of | | | | touts it has served more than two million women |
| thirty can put women at a higher risk for breast | | | | under this program since its inception in 1991. |
| cancer. Although some risk factors are easier to | | | | In 2000, Congress expanded this service by |
| control than others, familiarizing oneself with | | | | opening it up to women who are on Medicaid. This |
| plenty of information will only make fighting | | | | breast cancer control act, formally titled the |
| cancer easier for you. | | | | Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and |
| There are certain medications available to women | | | | Treatment Act, is a way to help women, who |
| who fall under high risk factors for breast cancer. | | | | may have little access to quality health care, have |
| The drug Tamoxifen has been used in the United | | | | a chance at breast and cervical cancer prevention. |
| States for over twenty-five years to help in the | | | | For anyone who has suffered from breast |
| fight for breast cancer prevention. The drug is | | | | cancer, maintaining prevention is critical. It should |
| taken once daily as a pill and interferes with the | | | | be just as important for those who never have |
| female hormone estrogen, preventing it from | | | | experienced this disease. Breast cancer prevention |
| attaching itself to cells in the breast tissue. | | | | is about learning your genetic make-up and if |
| This medication can also be used to treat women | | | | anyone in your family suffered from cancer. |
| already diagnosed with breast cancer because it | | | | Prevention is also about making healthier lifestyle |
| can slow down or cease the growth of cancerous | | | | choices by eating right, exercising and avoiding |
| cells. Tamoxifen has even been associated with | | | | cigarettes. Be smart and make the right decisions |
| helping prevent a recurrence in women who | | | | to ensure you will have a long and healthy life. |