Three steps to managing your breast health:
Here are some steps you can take to manage your breast health. You can begin this process as soon as you begin visits to the gynecologist – even in your teens or twenties.
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1. Know Your Risk
- Talk to family to learn about family health history.
- Talk to your doctor about your risks for breast cancer.
- See the full list of risk factors.
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2. Know Your Breasts
- Know the “normal” look and feel of your breasts.
- Use a mirror to see all areas of the breasts.
- See your health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes:
- Lump, hard knot or thickening in the breast or underarm area
- Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the skin of the breast
- Change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
- Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
- New pain in one spot that does not go away
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3. Get Screened
- Work with your health care provider to plan what age you should begin, and how often you should have, routine mammogram screenings and clinical examinations. Schedule an appointment.
- Take into account your family and personal risk factors.
- Discuss what factors might change that plan in the future, such as new cancer diagnosis in the family or breast changes.