Breast cancer

Alternative names:

carcinoma of the breast

Prevention:

Most of the associated risk factors cannot be controlled, therefore eliminating a means of primary prevention. However, secondary prevention, early detection, and appropriate treatment early in the disease process, may be promoted through routine breast self-exam beginning around age 20 and screening mammography after age 40. Additionally, current research studies are evaluating the effectiveness of the drug tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer in women with a family history of the disease. Currently, tamoxifen is used to treat people with breast cancer.