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Breast
MRI for Women with High Cancer Risks
Are you at risk for
breast cancer? The American cancer society estimates that at least
1.4 million American women are considered high risk for breast
cancer. This means that breast cancer has become more prevalent in
recent times and several women should take extra precaution
beginning with the knowledge of whether or not they may be among
those considered to be "high risk" or those who are likely to
develop breast cancer. Based on the studies, researches and surveys
conducted by the American Cancer Society, here are some of the
factors to be considered in determining whether or not you may be at
risk for breast cancer.
Do you have a family
history of cancer? Has anybody in your family-- your mother,
grandmother or any other female member of your family such as an
aunt or cousin up to the second degree suffered from breast cancer?
Has any male member of your family suffered from any type of cancer?
If so, then you yourself may also be at risk and should therefore be
conscious of the changes that you feel in your body. Remember that
the development of harmful and malignant cancer cells may vary
differently from one person to another and what may manifest as
ovarian or cervical cancer in your other may translate to a breast
cancer illness in the succeeding generations.
Do you live or work in an
area with high exposure to chemicals and radioactivity? Have you
observed any incidence of cancer in your immediate neighborhood or
in the workplace? Because you are exposed to almost the same
elements day after day, the chances of developing illnesses similar
to those of your neighbors is high, including cancer.
Do you lead a very
erratic, unhealthy lifestyle? Several advocates of organic farming
insist that our exposure to the fertilizers and pesticides found in
artificial and processed food can lead to the development of cancer
cells in our body. The lack of antioxidants in these food have been
said to allow toxic deposits and free radicals to harm our bodies.
The development of good health and general well being is thus
important in the fight against cancer.
If you find yourself
answering yes to any of the questions and find yourself in any of
the situations mentioned above, you may be at risk. For women, the
American Cancer Society advises a breast MRI at least once a year.
The breast MRI or the magnetic resonance imaging will help medical
professionals detect abnormal growth in the breasts at an early
stage without having to expose your body to the radio activity that
come with x-rays and mammograms.
Women are also advised to
practice self breast examination or to have themselves subjected to
clinical breast exams by their physicians for the detection of lumps
in the breast. These examinations which are usually done after the
menstrual cycle has aided many women in the early detection of
breast cancer. Women must remember that there is nothing to fear
with breast cancer. Breast cancer is easy to cure with early
detection.
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