Breast Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

Breast cancer is a preventable disease and, if detected early and diagnosed, a disease that can be successfully treated.

Below are ways to help prevent breast cancer and detect the disease early.

Breast Cancer Prevention

• If you have babies, breast feed them.
• Limit alcohol to no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
• Exercise daily for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit.

Breast Cancer Early Detection

• In your 20s and 30s, have a clinical breast exam (CBE) by a health care professional at least every three years.
• Beginning at age 40, have an annual CBE.
• At age 40, begin annual screening mammography.
• If you are at high risk, talk with your health care professional about beginning annual screening mammograms at a younger age and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
• If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk with your health care professional about genetic testing.
• At menopause, talk with your health care professional about whether you should have hormone replacement therapy.
• Breast self-exam is one way that you can get to know what is normal for your breasts. If you notice changes, see your health care professional right away.