National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Focus on prevention

Health professionals advise that the best strategy for adult women is to participate in regular breast cancer screenings.

• Get an annual mammogram. All women aged 40 and over should get an annual mammogram. This is the best way to detect breast cancer early. More than 1 in 4 female King County employees over the age of 40 did not receive a mammogram last year.
• Talk to your medical provider. During your regular checkup, talk to your medical provider about your unique family history and the best screening options for you, even if you think you are too young to develop breast cancer.

Breast exams don’t take the place of a mammogram

According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, having a clinical breast exam or a breast self-exam have not been found to decrease risk of dying from breast cancer.¹ At this time, the best way to find breast cancer is with a mammogram. If you choose to have clinical breast exams and to perform breast self-exams, be sure you also get regular mammograms.

How to prepare for a mammogram

There are things you can do to be more comfortable during the procedure and ensure the most accurate results. The National Women's Health Information Center offers these guidelines for what to do before a mammogram:

• When scheduling the appointment, plan to go about one week after your period. Your breasts will be less sore at this time.
• If you have breast implants, make sure you tell the facility about them when you schedule your appointment.
• The day of your mammogram, wear a separate shirt and skirt, shorts or pants, not a dress. It will be easier to just remove your top during the mammogram.
• To avoid shadows on your result, don't use any lotions, powders, deodorant or perfumes on the day of your mammogram.

Ways to lower your risk

There are other things you can do to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.

• Move More. Physical activity has been associated with a 10%-25% reduction in risk.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can increase the risk of breast cancer after menopause and that risk increases with weight gain.
• Know your family history of breast cancer. If you have a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer, talk to your doctor about your risk of getting breast cancer and how you can lower your risk.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Consuming more than one serving of alcohol a day can increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

Resources

• Community Checkup Report – To compare the percentage of time that clinics and hospitals in the Puget Sound meet best practices for breast cancer screening select “Prevention” under the “Select a Category”. Then click the green button “Click here to view and compare”.
• Breast Cancer Prevention Guide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Breast Cancer Quick Guide for Health Living (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)