Pink. It’s not just a color. It’s a reminder.
Early detection saves lives! Nor-Cal Think Pink reminds you to follow these guidelines for Breast Cancer Detection:
Age 20-39
- Every month: Perform a breast self-exam.
- Every 3 years: Have a clinical breast exam by a doctor or nurse.
- See your doctor for your annual well-woman check-up and clinical breast exam.
- Are you high risk? Know your family history!
- Live healthy lifestyle.
- Most Importantly: Trust your instincts. Take control of your body. Be proactive. DON’T WAIT!
Age 40+
- Every month: Perform a breast self-exam.
- Every year: Have a mammogram and a clinical breast exam by a doctor.
- See your doctor for your annual well-woman check-up and clinical breast exam.
- Are you high risk? Know your family history!
- Live healthy lifestyle.
- Most Importantly: Trust your instincts. Take control of your body. Be proactive. DON’T WAIT!
BE BREAST AWARE. Know the symptoms of breast cancer:
- Swelling, soreness, or rash
- Nipple discharge
- Change in size and/or shape
- Dimpling or puckering
- Itchy, scaly sore or rash around the nipple
- Nipple that becomes flat or inverted
- Know “YOUR NORMAL” and your body by doing a breast self-exam at the same time each month.
Steps to Early Detection
Nor-Cal Think Pink recommends:
- Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exams (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
- Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
- Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.
- For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute.