Detection And Prevention
One in eight U.S. women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Making lifestyle choices to lower your risk of breast cancer and taking steps to identify cancer early are important ways to protect your health.
Who Is At Risk For Breast Cancer?
There are several risk factors that increase a woman’s chances for developing breast cancer. These risk factors include:
- Age. Most breast cancers are found in women age 55 and older.
- Family or personal history of cancer
- Previous radiation to the chest
- Use of birth control pills within the past 10 years
- Alcohol, more than one drink per day
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Excess weight
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the most common genes linked to breast cancer
Work To Lower Your Risk
There is no guarantee for preventing cancer, but you can improve your odds of staying health with these lifestyle choices:
- Eat a low-fat diet
- Limit alcohol consumption to one drink a day or less
- Exercise moderately at least 150 minutes a week
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Don’t smoke
- Limit hormone replacement therapy
Early Detection
Another way to limit the impact of breast cancer is to find and treat it early. Follow these steps for early detection:
- Have your breasts checked for any abnormalities during routine checkups with your physician or other medical provider.
- Get a screening mammogram yearly starting at age 40. If you are at high risk, talk to your doctor about earlier or more frequent testing.
Screening Mammography
All Premier Health breast imaging centers, as well as our mobile mammography coach offer screening mammography using either traditional two-dimensional mammography or the newer three-dimensional Genius™ 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™,
also known as tomosynthesis.
Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early detection increases the likelihood of successful treatment. Mammography remains the most common screening test for breast cancer.
Screening mammograms are for women who have no breast problems or complaints. Screening mammograms do not require a physician’s order or prescription for women age 40 and over.
Learn more if your mammography report shows you have dense breasts.
Fast Breast MRI
Premier Health offers Fast Breast MRI, a 10-minute self-pay examination. Women with dense breasts or at a higher risk for breast cancer can now choose Fast Breast MRI at Premier Health as a second step (following a mammogram) for breast cancer screening. It’s important to note that Fast Breast MRI isn’t a replacement for an annual mammogram.
Schedule Your Mammogram
Scheduling your annual screening mammogram is easy. No physician referral is needed. Book online now at a location and time that works for your busy life. You also can call our scheduling team toll-free at (855) 887-7364(855) 887-7364. If you are under age 40 and/or have a breast problem, please talk with your doctor.
Diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, and breast MRIs require a physician referral. To schedule these appointments, please contact our scheduling team at (855) 887-7364.(855) 887-7364
High-Risk Breast Cancer Centers
If you are considered high-risk due to personal or family history, Premier Health’s High-Risk Breast Cancer Centers are dedicated to providing a comprehensive breast cancer risk evaluation, follow-up care, and education. High-risk Breast Cancer Centers are located at Miami Valley Hospital North and Miami Valley Hospital South.
Genetic Testing and Counseling
If you are at increased risk for breast cancer, our genetic counselors at our High-risk Breast Cancer Centers can provide information, address your concerns, and offer testing when appropriate.
Contact Us
Call the Premier Health cancer hotline at (844) 316-HOPE(844) 316-4673 (4673), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to connect with a Premier Health cancer navigator.