October has been established as Breast Cancer Prevention and Information Month as part of an international effort to combat the disease.
Prevention and early treatment are vital, as breast cancer is treatable. If the treatment is done at an early stage, the cure rate often exceeds 97%.
As a matter of fact, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in Europe. Furthermore, in Greece, about 4,500 new cases are identified every year, while worldwide, 1,500,000 women are identified as breast cancer cases.
Every woman, from the age of 20 onwards should have a breast self-examination every month and visit her doctor often for a clinical examination. From the age of 40 onwards a clinical examination by a doctor and a mammogram should be performed every year, which should start even earlier in women with hereditary history of breast cancer. Other diagnostic methods include breast ultrasound and breast MRI.
A woman's risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, with rates rising after 40, while other risk factors include heredity, early menstruation, delayed menopause, alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, etc.
