At North Star Family Medicine, we encourage women to understand their risk for breast cancer, perform regular self-breast examinations, and complete regular screening examinations based on their risk factors.
First, understand your family history of breast cancer by talking to both sides of your family about if breast cancer is present. If so, who had breast cancer and at what age was it first diagnosed?
Second, performing regular self-breast examinations is important to know what is normal for you. The key to breast self-awareness is knowing how your breast normally looks and feels to notice any changes. Important signs to watch for include:
- Change in nipples, such as nipples that go inward or new nipple discharge
- Lumps or hardening of the breast tissues
- The size or shape of the breast changed
- Dimpling of the skin
- A new pain that won’t go away
- Rash near the nipple
Follow up with your physician if you notice any of the above changes.
Third, discuss with your physician appropriate screening for your age based on your family history and schedule mammograms as recommended.
Contact North Star Family Medicine at 218-382-2870 to schedule an appointment to discuss your risk of breast cancer and recommend appropriate age-based screening.
