Breast cancer that is detected and treated in its earliest stages can be cured over 90% of the time. The primary early detection tools are breast self-exams, clinical breast exams, and mammograms. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women age 20 and older do a breast self-exam every month. Your doctor or health professional can tell you how and when to perform a breast self-exam. In addition, the ACS recommends that women under the age of 39 have a clinical breast exam by a health care professional as part of their regular physical at least every three years. Women age 40 and over should also have a yearly mammogram. Those with certain risk factors should begin screening earlier. Your doctor can help you to assess your risk of developing breast cancer and can recommend when screening should begin in your case.

For more information on self breast exams, go to the American Cancer Society website.