At present, the mammogram is the recommended screening test for breast cancer. Guidelines at the age and frequency of mammograms change as more information is gathered, so check with your healthcare provider about what is right for you. Although it is not clear whether doing breast self examinations improve detection, women should be aware and look for changes in their breasts. Check with your healthcare provider about what is right for you.
We recommend the following screening guidelines from the leading European Cancer Hospital IEO in Milan, Italy:
women over twenty should perform self-examination regularly
women over twenty-five should undergo ultrasound
women over forty should get a mammogram
women with 2 or more family members with breast cancer, should consult their own doctor to assess the need to undergo genetic testing or, however, anticipate the first mammogram at age 35
Hormone therapy is sometimes used after surgery to decrease the change of the cancer returning or after it has already spread to shrink and contain it. This therapy is recommended for women who have a type of breast cancer that is sensitive to hormones—estrogen receptor positive (ER positive) and progesterone receptor positive (PR positive) cancers. There are three primary ways to block hormones:
There are specific drugs able to attack specific abnormalities within breast cancer cells:
