Eighty percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no risk factors other than being a woman. Risk increases with age, family history, previous breast cancer or radiation therapy to the chest area, having no children or having your first child after age 30, early menstruation (before age 12) or late menopause (after age 50) or increased use of alcohol (two or more drinks daily).

The American Medical Association, The American College of Radiology, and The American Cancer Society recommend the following three-step approach to breast health:

Mammograms - Annually for women age 40 and older.

Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) - Starting at age 20, women should have a clinical breast exam by a health professional every three years; starting at age 40, women should have a CBE by a health professional annually.

Breast self-examination (BSE) - An option for women starting in their 20s. Ask your physician or one of our staff about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Report any breast changes to your health professional right away. If you have questions about how to do breast self-exam, call The Women's Center at 417/269-LADY.

Women with increased risk such as family history should talk with their physician about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. If you don't know your risk, consider genetic counseling. Call the CoxHealth Genetic Counseling office at 417/269-2110.

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