Anyone with Breasts Should Have a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment by Age 25

The Average Woman has About a 1 in 8 Chance of Developing Breast Cancer in Her Lifetime

Today, the average woman has about a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime – making screening incredibly important.

The latest recommendation being drafted by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force states women should start regular screening mammograms at age 40. This applies to those at average risk for breast cancer, including people with breasts who do not identify as women.

However - if an individual is at an above average risk for breast cancer, screening may need to start at an earlier age. So… how do you know if this applies to you?

Enter: the new guideline for ALL women to have a breast cancer risk assessment by age 25 (recommended by the American College of Radiology).

Because individual factors such as race, genetics, family history, and breast density can raise the risk of developing breast cancer, it is important for every individual with breasts to be evaluated for their personal risk factors. Depending on the results of your assessment, screening recommendations can be personalized if need be!

Some common adaptations include starting mammograms at an earlier age, or getting annual breast MRIs in addition to mammograms (this is a common one for women with dense breasts – which, according to www.breastcancer.org, is about 45% of the population). This is because dense breasts make it more difficult for mammograms to detect breast cancers.

Getting the appropriate screening done for YOU is incredibly important, as catching breast cancer early leads to a better chance of the disease being treatable and curable.

And while it is a common misconception that age 25 is too young to necessitate staying on top of your breast health, that is simply not the case.

According to www.cancer.gov, the chance of getting breast cancer by age is:

• Age 30: 1 in 204
• Age 40: 1 in 65
• Age 50: 1 in 42
• Age 60: 1 in 28
• Age 70: 1 in 24

This isn’t meant to scare you, but to ensure that you are well-informed and can take the appropriate actions to stay on top of your screenings and self-exams! These are two of the most important things you can do to care for your health.

Speaking of self-exams: anyone with breasts should perform a breast self-exam once a month. This way, you will have a sense of what your “normal” is, so if any changes take place you will be more likely to notice. For guidance on how to properly do a self-exam, see here.

In conclusion, to act on the most current guidance, schedule a breast cancer risk assessment with your PCP or OBGYN today! You may need to advocate for yourself and communicate that you are doing this because of the new guideline published by the American College of Radiology. For further information, you can visit BreastCancer.org website.

For a comprehensive list of services and providers that Saint Alphonsus provides, visit our Breast Care Center.

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