QuestionHi Karen
I'm 31 years old. I do not have a breast cancer but I would like to take a precaution. At what age should I start having my breasts checked? What are the breast cancer symptoms or signs I should look for? I don't have a history of breast cancer in my family. Does it mean there's just a little chance that I will have a breast cancer? Can mammogram precisely detect all cancerous breast tumors? Thanks.
AnswerDear Pam, You should be checking yourself every month and when you have your annual pap smear at the GYN, he/she should also be giving you a breast exam...
Depending on the type and location of breast cancer, the symptoms are different... You are better off going to the internet and type in the search words
symptoms of breast cancer
and it will pull up web sites regarding this subject since again symptoms are different and often there are no symptoms until later stages...
Familar (family) history does play a role in breast cancer and those with family history ARE a greater risk... However, people with no family history can get breast cancer too....
Mammograms can find suspecious areas.... Radiologist can often determine by shape if the area is benign or cancerous, but ONLY biopsy or surgical removal and biopsy can tell if the suspecious area is cancer...
thank you, karen
