Prioritize breast health as part of healthy living
As women, we often lead busy lives, juggling work, family, relationships and our own personal goals. An important aspect in this balancing act is protecting our well-being, including our breast health. Our San Antonio women’s doctors partner with our patients to provide comprehensive women’s health care, which means conveying the importance of breast cancer prevention to patients.
Why breast health matters
Approximately 1 in 8 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime. With those odds, we believe that our patients can’t afford to bury their heads in the sand as it relates to breast health. Early detection for this type of cancer offers the best odds of a complete recovery.
Often, the first step is building an awareness of cancer risks and any symptoms that could warrant attention from one of our San Antonio women’s doctors.
Understanding breast cancer risks
While we don’t have specific reasons for why some women develop breast cancer and others don’t, certain criteria may increase the probability of a cancer diagnosis. Having an awareness of any potential risk factors can enable you and your doctor to develop a plan to maximize your breast health.
Several factors can contribute to a greater likelihood of this type of cancer.
- Family history in which a mother, sister or grandmother was diagnosed
- Having dense breast tissue
- Being a woman older than age 50
- Certain genetic mutations, specifically related to BRCA1 and BRCA2
- Use of certain hormonal birth control medications and/or hormone replacement therapy
Important steps for protecting breast health
It is often said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Our San Antonio women’s doctors encourage all our patients to take the proper steps to minimize the chance of developing breast cancer. Although you can’t control all the risks, taking positive actions wherever possible can go a long way.
- Get to know your breasts. Perform regular self-exams and understand how your breasts change during your cycles, so that you can identify anything out of the norm.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise can improve your overall wellness. Minimizing alcohol and tobacco use is also a good idea.
- Schedule regular screenings. Once you start having annual exams, your doctor should perform a clinical breast exam at these appointments. Beginning at age 40, you should also have a screening mammogram each year.
Our San Antonio women’s doctors support women during all the stages of their lives. We would welcome the chance to serve as your trusted healthcare provider. Contact our office to make an appointment with one of our doctors.
