Cancer Guide & Screening

Breast Cancer	(index)
Increased Risk: increasing age (<2% of cases under age 30); previous history of breast cancer (higher risk for patients who get first breast cancer < age 40-45); positive family history (mother, sister, daughter: 2-3 x increased risk with first degree relative), higher risk if first degree relatives develop premenopausal or bilateral breast cancer; personal history of fibrocystic disease (atypical hyperplasia), noninvasive carcinoma in situ (ductal > lobular), significant cellular atypia; Minor increased risk - early periods, late menopause, overweight. Background: incidence, 1 of 10 adult women develop breast cancer. Symptoms: asymptomatic, palpable breast mass, mass in axilla, change in nipples (retraction, inversion, irritation, dimpling), localized breast swelling, abnormal body or bloody nipple discharge. Screening: Self breast exam every month. Annual breast exam by MD. Screening mammography - baseline exam at age 35-39, at ages 40-49 every 1-2 years, and at age 50 or older have annual mammograms. Increased risk factors necessitates earlier and more careful surveillance (monthly self exam, annual MD exam, basebaline mammogram by age 25 with subsequent mammograms every 2-3 years and annual mammograms after age 40 or diagnosis if earlier.)
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