Contributed Photo / Dr. Takeyla WilliamsQ: I’m a woman in my mid-30s. Do I really need to do a self-breast exam every month?
A: When it comes to breast cancer, people usually think of older women, but the reality is breast cancer affects women of all ages, and younger women are still at risk.
Breast cancer is being diagnosed more often in younger women than in years past – and it is being detected at earlier stages thanks to better imaging technologies and increasing awareness of the need for diligence. Although there is some discussion about when women should begin to have regular mammograms and the effectiveness of self-breast exams, I always stress that self-exams are particularly important for women under 40.
Paying attention to your body is vital for maintaining good health, and that’s especially true when it comes to breast cancer. Self-exams keep you connected to changes in your breasts such as swelling; redness; a change in size or shape; skin that’s itchy, dimpled or puckered; or a lump or firm feeling in your breast or under your arm. If you notice these changes, seek care immediately. Any concern you have about your breast is reason to start a conversation with your doctor, even if you think you’re too young to have cancer.
Takeyla Williams, M.D., is a fellowship-trained breast surgeon at CHI Memorial Breast Care Associates and a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.