The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women ages 45 to 54, for women over 55 years, the recommendation is a mammogram every two years. Women who have a family history of breast cancer should consider an MRI in addition to mammography. Talk to your doctor about the screening protocols that are right for you.

When it comes to breast cancer, the odds are improving. The incidence of the disease has declined and survival rates are on the rise. Even so, more than 240,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. It’s important for women to learn their personal risk factors and to talk to their health care providers about their options for screening, risk reduction and treatment.

Here is a behind the numbers look at breast cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The number refers to life time risk. It would be more accurate to report the risk as one in eight for women who reach age of 80. At age 30, the risk of developing breast cancer is one in 227. It increases to one in 68 at age 40.

The risk also changes depending on family history, breast density, race, weight, physical activity and alcohol consumption. All women are at risk for developing the disease. It’s important to do what you can to control your risks. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women. Although lots of women will lose their battle with breast cancer but the number of survivors is on the rise.

The five year survival rates for women with stage 0 or stage 1 cancer are almost 100 percent. At stage 2 survival rates are 93 percent. The emphasis on breast cancer as a national health problem has been successful in saving women’s lives. Early detection is the key. The five-year survival rate drops to 22 percent for women whose breast cancer is diagnosed at stage 4 or spreads from the breast. To increase the odds of catching the disease early, regular mammograms are recommended.

Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. The women diagnosed with breast cancer should remain positive. It’s hard not to be scared when you get a breast cancer diagnosis. There are more treatment options than ever before and a lot of support to help deal with the diagnosis for most women, this is a survival disease.

For more information about breast cancer, check out the following resources: American Cancer Society and BreastCancer.org. To be updated with many other health related information, stay tune our blog section or Call Us directly at 561-963-1915.