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EDUCATION AND CERNIMENT
Breast cancer is characterized by abnormal growth of malignant cells in the breast. It is the first cause of death in Puerto Rico in women. Although breast cancer is a very common condition in women, about every 100 cases detected occur in men. Until now breast cancer is a condition that cannot be prevented.
RISK FACTORS
There are a few factors that predispose women to develop breast cancer:
- Age
- Family history with breast cancer (Mother, sister and daughter)
- Menstruation before the age of 12
- Late menopause (after age 55)
- Women who have never had children or who had their first child after 30 years old
- Have previous biopsies
- Overweight
- Alcohol
EARLY DETECTION
Early detection guarantees the success of treatment, improves the quality of life of women and can decrease cancer mortality by 18%. When we talk about early detection of breast cancer, we refer to: clinical examination and mammography.
CLINICAL EXAMINATION
The clinical exam is a palpation test performed by your primary doctor, a nurse or health professional. This should be done, at least, two times the year.
THE MAMOGRAPHY
Mammography is a low-intensity x-ray. It is one of the tools for early detection more efficient to detect breast cancer. Mammography can detect a cancerous nodule, two years before you or your doctor can find out, through the palpation test
WHO SHOULD HAVE A MAMMOGRAPHY?
Medical and health experts recommend that every woman get a mammography between 35 to 39 years old and then annually from 40 years.
Women with a risk factor, to whom their primary care physician recommends getting a mammography before age 50.
