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Medical Reviewer:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Prevention

Once you reach age 20, you should begin to do a monthly breast self-exam. The best time to examine yourself is about seven to eight days after your period begins. If you have passed menopause, do it the same time each month. If you find any suspicious masses, report them immediately to your health care provider for testing. Tumors found during your monthly self-exam are usually in an early stage. You have a better outcome and a higher long-term survival in these cases if cancer is found. Most lumps are not cancer.

• Performing regular breast self-exams will allow you to familiarize yourself with your body and alert you when a change in your usual breast tissue is found.

• Repeating the breast exam and completing a pain diary for a few consecutive menstrual cycles will also help establish whether your breast pain is cyclic or not.

• The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer recommend yearly mammograms starting at age 40. Also, Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic health exam by a health professional, preferably every three years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.

• If you are younger than 40 and in a high-risk category (for example, many women in your family have breast cancer), you should ask your doctor about how early you should have your first mammogram.

• Sometimes mastitis is unavoidable. Some women are more susceptible than others, especially those who are breastfeeding for the first time.