Breast Health
BREAST HEALTH
Breast cancer is common, affecting 1 in 7 Australian women. So it is important for all women to be proactive in breast health.
1. Know Your Risk
- Talk to both sides of your family to learn about your family health history.
- Calculate your personal risk of breast cancer with iPrevent. iPrevent is a free online tool that calculates your 10-year and residual lifetime risk for breast cancer based on your family cancer history, lifestyle and reproductive risk factor information. It also provides personalised advice on breast cancer screening and lifestyle change suggestions.
2. Know What Is Normal For You
- Check your breasts regularly so that you are familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, and are more likely to notice any unusual changes. The Know Your Lemons diagram shows the 12 signs of breast cancer to look and feel for.
3. Get Screened
- Have a screening mammogram every 2 years starting from age 40.
- Talk to your doctor about additional screening tests (ultrasound or MRI breasts) if you are at higher risk of breast cancer.
4. Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Limit alcohol to 1 standard drink per day (or eliminate completely).
- Quit smoking.
- Breastfeed your babies (if possible).
