Some aren’t worried about this as five-year survival statistics of more than 80% is achieved if
breast cancer is caught and treated early, says
The Times of India.
But that’s not reassuring enough for most.
That’s why some women, like Angelina Jolie, decide to go for a double mastectomy if they have a strong family history of ovarian and breast cancer and carry the gene that puts them at risk.
Here’s why Angelina Jolie opted for a double mastectomy to cut her breast cancer risk…
Jolie made the decision after doctors told her she had an 87% risk of breast cancer, says
SkyNews.
She finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved on 27 April and is now looking to carry on with her work, as the surgery means Jolie’s breast cancer risk has now dropped to less than 5%.
It’s a brave move.
In fact, some women go for a double mastectomy even after their breast cancer’s gone into remission, as a preventative measure against it returning.
But soon, genetic testing could pinpoint exactly why your breast cancer developed, which will help with deciding on a treatment plan.
In fact, a simple but expensive blood test’s already been developed to show whether you’re highly susceptible to breast and
ovarian cancer, adds
SkyNews.
And another blood test will soon show breast cancer survivors whether the breast cancer is likely to be banished for good or if they’ll need pre-emptive treatment to stop it from returning, says Australia’s
News.com website.
So you’ll soon be able to tell if you’re at risk of developing breast cancer at all, then take action to prevent it.
If the $3,000 blood test sounds too high, remember to perform regular breast exams and not to skip a mammogram.
Four signs of breast cancer to look for when you conduct your monthly breast exam…
WebMD says to watch for the common breast cancer warning signs when you conduct a self-breast exam.
These include any lumps or thickening in the breast or armpit, as well as any change to the breast itself or any form of discharge, says
FSPHealth.
Simple as that.