Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the breast. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States, other than skin cancer. According to recent studies, this year, 2022, there has been 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 51,400 cases of DCIS diagnosed among US women. Additionally, 43,250 women are expected to die from breast cancer. While these numbers are staggering, it’s important to remember that death rates from breast cancer have been declining since 1989. This is due in part to early detection and improvements in treatment options.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of early detection in surviving breast cancer. We’ll also touch on how to get screened for breast cancer and what treatment options are available.
Early Detection is Key
The earlier breast cancer is detected and diagnosed, the better your chances are of surviving. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, when detected early, the 5-year relative survival rate for stage 0 and stage I breast cancers is nearly 100%. This drops to about 93% for stage II cancers and 72% for stage III cancers. So, what does this mean? It means that if you detect your breast cancer early, you’re more likely to survive than if you don’t.
How to Get Screened for Breast Cancer
There are several ways to get screened for breast cancer. The best way to find out if you’re at risk for developing breast cancer is to speak with your doctor. Your doctor will take into account your family history and any other factors that may put you at risk for developing the disease. Based on this information, they can recommend a screening schedule that’s right for you.
In addition to speaking with your doctor, you can also perform regular self-breasts exams at home. The American Cancer Society recommends that women perform a self-breast exam at least once a month. To do a self-breast exam, use your fingers to feel around your breasts for any lumps or abnormalities. If you find anything unusual, make sure to speak with your doctor right away.
Treatment Options
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, several treatment options are available depending on the stage of your disease. Treatment options include surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. Your doctor will take into account the stage of your disease as well as your overall health before recommending a course of treatment. It’s important to remember that while treatment can be difficult, there have been significant advancements made in recent years and there are now more treatment options available than ever before.
Early detection is key to surviving breast cancer. There are several ways to get screened for breast cancer, including speaking with your doctor and performing regular self-breast exams at home. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, several treatment options are available depending on the stage of your disease, including surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. Remember that while treatment can be difficult, significant advancements have been made in recent years, and more treatment options are now available than ever. Walk-In today, and visit IPE Screening for your breast cancer screening in Springfield, Missouri.