Margaret Proctor Mulligan
Breast Health and Research Program

Breast health awareness

Breast health plays a significant role in the well-being of women. One out of eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer. Between 60-80 percent of women will develop fibrocystic breast changes that may require an invasive procedure for further evaluation and diagnosis.

The American Cancer society offers these recommendations for early breast cancer detection:

• Women age 40 and older should have a yearly mammogram.
  
  
• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam as part of a periodic health exam every three years.
  
  
• Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers.
  
  
• Women at increased risk - family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer - should speak with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests or having more frequent exams.