Thousands of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year; early detection gives those women a chance to beat the disease. Hospitals across the nation now offer digital mammography – a new way to see breast cancer in its earliest stages. The advanced cancer treatment provides a clear, detailed picture while putting the patient at ease.

As part of a commitment to increase access to the most advanced technology available in the early detection of breast cancer, Mercy now offers digital mammography at a variety of locations in Greater Cincinnati, including Mercy Hospitals Anderson, Clermont, Fairfield, Mt. Airy and Western Hills, as well as imaging centers located at Mercy Health Center–Liberty Falls and Mercy Medical Imaging–Milford.

Getting a mammogram can be unsettling, yet it is something every woman should do regularly. The National Cancer Institute encourages women to have a mammogram every two years, but women with higher risk factors should consider getting a digital mammogram annually.

Factors That Could Increase Risk of Developing Breast Cancer

It is believed between five and ten percent of breast cancer patients inherit a genetic mutation which makes them more susceptible to the cancer. That means, along with annual or biannual visits to digital mammography facilities, women should consider genetic testing to learn more about their individual risk.

Aging is another risk factor for many women. Most invasive breast cancers are discovered in women 55 years of age and older. No one can prevent the aging process, but women should be mindful growing older means so much more than aches and pains.

A woman’s ethnicity plays a role in her chance of developing breast cancer. Caucasian women are at a slightly higher risk than African-American women. Yet, African American women are more likely to develop aggressive tumors and die from the cancer. Asian, Hispanic and Native American women are at the lowest risk for developing or dying from the disease.

While genes, aging and ethnicity are a big part of the equation, women make choices every day that impact their risk for breast cancer. Two lifestyle changes can be made immediately to decrease the chances of developing cancer.

Several studies found a link being overweight and an increased threat of developing breast cancer. While the connection is a complex one, it seems women who gain weight later in life and remain overweight after menopause are at the highest risk. Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are simple steps that can be taken at any point in a woman’s life.

Use of alcohol has also been connected with higher risks for breast cancer. Women who drink excessively can develop cancers of the throat, liver and mouth as well. According to the American Cancer Society, women should consume no more than one alcoholic drink per day.

Breast cancer can be a devastating diagnosis for a woman and her family, but there are ways to increase the chances of beating the disease. Early detection is the backbone of the battle against breast cancer. Women who know their personal risk factors and have digital mammograms are more likely to be diagnosed before the cancer grows. Mammograms are not the perfect solution and can result in a false negative or false positive. However, annual or biannual scans mean more opportunities to notice something unusual and potentially dangerous.

It is never too late to begin reducing breast cancer risk factors; just take one small step today and another tomorrow.