Breast cancer screening – a key to early detection

Q: How can I help lower my risk for developing breast cancer?

"Early detection with a mammogram or clinical breast exam is usually your best, first-line of defense for reducing your risk," says Rosemary Schempp, M.D., a board-certified specialist in Internal Medicine at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

Dr. Schempp says that starting in their 20s, women should self-examine their breasts every month for lumps, dimpling, changes in skin texture, unusual tenderness or discharge.

"Women ages 20 to 39 should have a clinical breast exam performed by their physician at least every three years, and women age 40 and older should have a clinical breast exam and a mammogram every year," she says.

"However, if you are in a higher-risk category, ask your doctor about the benefits of more frequent screenings. And if you have a strong family history of breast cancer, ask about a potential consultation regarding the feasibility of the BRCA analysis - available through Kelsey-Seybold's Oncology or Surgery departments."

If an abnormal area is discovered on your mammogram, you may need to have more imaging studies or a biopsy to look for evidence of breast cancer.

"The goal of these screenings is to find breast cancers in the early stages when treatment offers patients the best outcomes. That's why they're so important," concludes Dr. Schempp, who cares for patients at Kelsey-Seybold's Humble Clinic.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To schedule a mammogram at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, call 713-442-1161 on weekdays. For more information, visit www.kelsey-seybold.com/ keyword: mammogram.