There are many different forms of cancer which people are now being diagnosed with and one of the most treatable of them is breast cancer. However in order for it be treated effectively then it is important that the disease is detected in its early stages of formation. In fact because there are a number of different ways in which this form of cancer can be detected it is considered to be a favorable form of cancer that can be treated and the person cured.

The best ways for helping to detect breast cancer in its early stages today is through either a breast examination being carried our or the use of a mammography test. These are the most favored ways being used today of detecting this form of cancer. In studies which have been carried out it has been found that in those women who have their cancer detected in its early stages have a greater chance of survival.

Certainly women are now being told it is extremely important that they carry out regular breast examinations on themselves as they will be more aware of any changes to their breasts. But also if there is a history of breast cancer in the family then having regular mammograms will help to ensure that detection of the disease can often be found during its much earlier stages of formation. In fact both examinations and mammograms are now used as the basis for detecting breast cancer in women today.

However many women will often ask the question "Just how often do I need to carry out a breast examination or get a mammogram done?" The answer to this is quite simple. For a breast examination a woman should be looking to arrange for her doctor to inspect them on a monthly basis or if she wants she can carry it out herself at home whilst say having a shower.

In the USA today the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that once a woman reaches the age of 40 she should have a first mammography and then another annually. It is the first mammography that a woman has which will be used as a base reading for all future tests that take place. However the American Cancer Society are suggesting for women where there is a history of breast cancer in their family should actually have their first mammography at the age of 35. They also feel that women who suffer from any other type of breast problems should also have a mammography at the age of 35.

The mammography is carried out using an x ray machine which is able to detect most forms of breast cancer in its very early stages, and can be used for detecting it in both women and men. Also the main advantage to using this way for detecting breast cancer is that it can detect when it is so small that using the more traditional type of breast examination would not.

Around 85 to 90% of all the breast cancer that is now being detected and thus treated has been done through the use of mammography. But not only is the number of women being detected and treated for this particular form of cancer increased but the number of women actually dying from it has reduced. In fact in those women who are over the age of 50 and have been diagnosed with having breast cancer today around 30% more are likely to survive.

Although mammography does help to detect breast cancer in most women, there is a small percentage (10-15%) whose form of breast can not be detected using this method. Yet upon carrying out a physical examination it can so it is vital that all women learn the correct way of examining their own breasts for signs of breast cancer. Certainly it is best that a woman does carry out an examination of her own breasts on a monthly basis and if she feels that there may be a problem can as her doctor to then carry out a physical examination as well.

Certainly discovering that you or are loved one has breast cancer is a horrifying experience, no longer does it mean a your life is at an end. At Cancer Report we provide helpful articles and guides which will make dealing with breast cancer much easier to handle.

Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com

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