Quick Answers
Can breast cancer be prevented?
Research can't conclusively tell women how to prevent
breast cancer. The three primary risk factors for breast
cancer are being a woman, getting older, or having a
mother or sister who has had the disease. These are
factors that women can't do much to change. While the
findings are not conclusive, reducing the amount of
alcohol you drink and eating a high fiber, low-fat diet
might be beneficial.
The good news is that deaths from breast
cancer have stabilized. Early detection and improved
treatment are having an impact. Treatment is more
effective and survival is high when breast cancer is
found early. Mammograms are not perfect; however, done
in combination with self-breast exams and periodic exams
by your health care provider, they are effective in
detecting most breast cancer early. It is generally
agreed that mammograms decrease deaths from breast
cancer in women ages 50 and over. There is less
agreement about their value for younger women.
Gail Carlson, MPH Ph.D., Continuing Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia
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Last update: Tuesday, November 25, 2008
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