Breast Cancer

Cancer is the second most common diagnosis leading to death in Shasta County, and breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women of every race/ethnic group in California.

There is a 95% survival rate if treatment is begun when breast cancer is localized and three types of exams have proven to assist in early detection.

Early Detection

The American Cancer Society recommends:

• Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
  
  
• Clinical breast exams (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
  
  
• Women should report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
  
  
• Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer ) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams.