According to recent studies, the average American woman has about a 12% chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. That's a frightening thought, especially when approximately 85% of those who develop breast cancer have no family history of cancer. Thankfully, this doesn't have to be a death sentence, and it doesn't have to be scary so long as you do all you can to detect it as early as possible.

Learn to Self-Check

One of the easiest ways to identify signs of breast cancer early is to perform a self-check on a regular basis. Your doctor has probably already encouraged you to start doing this if you're over the age of 30, but even younger women should get in the habit early. This will help you identify irregularities which can later be checked by a physician and either be eliminated as possible signs of cancer, or confirmed and treated early.

A simple self-check can be done by lifting the breast, and using the tips of your finger tips to gently probe the soft tissue in a circular motion. Starting from the outside, work in concentric circles in towards the middle of the breast and simply repeat the process with the other breast. Doing this just once a week can help to detect signs early so that they can be treated without risk to you.

Annual Exams

A thorough self-check is a good way to help identify signs of breast cancer early, but it may not catch every potential sign. For this, undergoing annual mammograms with your OBGYN is essential. This scan allows your doctor to get a clear picture of what's going on inside your breast tissue, quite literally.

Most women complain that the process is uncomfortable, and perhaps even a bit painful and awkward. However, the average mammogram takes just a few minutes and can be the only thing standing between you and a serious diagnosis. It's a small thing to endure to ensure that you're cancer free, and can be a huge weight off your shoulders if you've recently found an unfamiliar lump during a self-examination.

Breast cancer survival rates are climbing, and the process of early identification is a big reason for that change. Early detection is the best way to ensure that, if a cancerous mass is found, it can either be removed without treatment, treated appropriately or otherwise dealt with before it becomes a threat to your way of life. Contact a trustworthy clinic, such as EVDI Medical Imaging, to get your mammogram scheduled right away.