As common as breast cancer is — about — there still are misconceptions about the disease.
鈥淚 do hear frequently, 鈥業鈥檓 not concerned; I don鈥檛 have any family history,鈥� — well neither did I,鈥� said 13-year survivor Laura Stottlemyer who is a mammographer at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland.
鈥淎bout 75% of those diagnosed actually have no family history,鈥� she said.
The is being a woman, though men get it, too. Advanced age is another factor.
Having close relatives with breast cancer means you鈥檙e .
鈥淭he main things that we do look for are first-degree relatives,鈥� Stottlemyer said. 鈥淎nd that would include your mother, your sisters or even daughters. And, it can extend to the male side of the families including father, brother or even sons.鈥�
Stottlemyer鈥檚 cancer was diagnosed after she .
鈥淎nd, I was fairly young when it was diagnosed, actually earlier than the recommended guidelines of 40-years-old to start my annual screening mammograms.鈥�
Early detection is key for breast cancer survival.
鈥淲hen breast cancers are diagnosed earlier, they can have up to 99% treatment rate, which is pretty good odds,鈥� Stottlemyer said.
You can learn more about what to expect during a mammogram screening procedure online.
