By Lakshmi Kannan, MD
Patients often ask how they can improve their odds against breast cancer. The best way to improve your odds is to understand your risk factors.
Factors that increase your risk of breast cancer include being a female over the age of 50; previous estrogen therapy; a family history of breast or ovarian cancer in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) and a previous breast biopsy. Having a risk factor or several risk factors, however, doesn’t mean that a woman will get breast cancer.
You can lower your risk of breast cancer by changing certain controllable risk factors. Limit your alcohol intake, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy body weight. Women who choose to breast-feed for at least several months may also get an added benefit of reducing their breast cancer risk. Not using hormone therapy after menopause can help you avoid raising your risk.
Methodist Health System offers an interactive breast cancer risk assessment tool in the health library at www.methodisthealthsystem.org/healthinfo. This brief assessment will help you determine if you have major risk factors for breast cancer.
If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, talk with your physician about options to reduce your risk. Your options may include additional screening techniques and other steps in certain serious risk cases to prevent cancer.
The best screening plan for breast cancer is digital mammography along with periodic breast self-exams combined with a clinical exam by a physician. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and a clinical breast exam about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and older. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to their physician. An MRI may be recommended for patients with a greater than 20 to 25 percent lifetime risk, and may be used in conjunction with a mammogram and sonogram. Women should ask the question, “Do I need an MRI?”
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, other than skin cancer. It is common among all racial and ethnic groups. The American Cancer Society reports that the breast cancer death rate is declining, probably because of earlier detection and improved treatment. There are certain factors you can’t control, such as your age, gender, family history, and race. Focus on those things you can control and the odds should be in your favor.
Lakshmi Kannan, MD is an oncology and hematology specialist with Texas Oncology and independently practicing physician on the medical staff at Methodist Charlton Medical Center.
