Breast Cancer At A Glance

• One in every eight women in the United States develops breast cancer.
• The causes of breast cancer are not yet fully known although a number of risk factors have been identified.
• Breast cancer is diagnosed with self- and physician- examination of the breasts, mammography, ultrasound testing, and biopsy.
• There are many types of breast cancer that differ in their capability of spreading (metastasize) to other body tissues.
• Treatment of breast cancer depends on the type and location of the breast cancer, as well as the age and health of the patient.
• The American Cancer Society recommends that a woman should have a baseline mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40 years. Between 40 and 50 years of age mammograms are recommended every other year. After age 50 years, yearly mammograms are recommended.