The American Cancer Society recommends that women can start having mammograms as early as age 40 if they like. For 45 to 55, they should be conducted yearly, switching to every two years after age 55. This should continue for as long as the woman is in good physical health and is expected to live another 10 years. Getting a regular breast exam is important to overall breast health. Even if your risk of breast cancer is low, there are still plenty of reasons to have an exam.
Establishing a Normal Baseline
It’s important for our doctor and for you to both have an idea as to what is normal for your body. Your breast tissue is no different. It’s very common for women to have lumps and bumps in their breast tissue, most of which are absolutely harmless. However, both you and our doctor will need to keep track of these variations in case they begin changing. If you get a regular breast exam, you can establish a baseline for what is normal and note any changes before they can become larger issues.
Examining Skin for Changes
While the skin of our breasts is usually kept out of the sun, certain types of skin cancer can bloom without sun exposure. It can also be difficult for you to see these slight changes if they occur under the curves of your breasts. Our skilled medical professional is trained to notice these slight variations that could signal a problem long before the area becomes tender or changes drastically in appearance. Skin cancers caught when they are small are quite survivable and removing them before they grow larger can avoid large, disfiguring scars.
Discovering and Monitoring Non-Cancerous Lumps and Bumps
Cysts, benign tumors and other lumps and bumps can form in the breasts at any point in your life. Discovering and monitoring these changes from the very beginning can help catch lymph node infections or other growths before they create larger problems in the body or result in disfigurement.
Cancer screening isn’t the only reason to get a regular breast exam at South Lake OB/GYN. If you haven’t had an examination lately, there’s no time like the present. Set up an appointment at our office in Clermont. We will be happy to provide a thorough checkup and answer any questions you may have about breast health. Contact us today to schedule your breast exam.