Treasure Your Chest: Self-exams, mammograms can be life-savers Published Oct. 31, 2014 By Kimberly Woodruff Staff Writer TINKER AIR FORCE BASE - Okla. -- In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is the second leading cause of death from cancer among women, ranking behind only lung cancer. Though more common in women, breast cancer does not discriminate and affects men as well. In 2013-14, an estimated 232,340 women and 2,240 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S., with 39,620 women and 410 men dying from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. The sobering statistics don't end there. One in three women will develop a breast lump at some time in their lives, though 80 percent of those lumps are not cancerous. One in eight women will develop breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, when detected early, the survival rate from breast cancer is 98 percent. Capt. Melissa Blackburn, 72nd Medical Group's Medical Services Flight commander, says early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms. She said, with both women and men, if anything unusual such as dimpling or a lump is discovered in the breast, they should notify their primary care provider right away. "I understand getting a mammogram can be embarrassing and uncomfortable for some," Captain Blackburn said, "but remember that it's much better to catch a lump when it is small and easy to treat, rather than later." Studies have shown that women find 90 percent of breast lumps that can be felt. However, surprisingly, only a small percentage of women practice regular breast self-exams. Captain Blackburn suggests talking to a doctor to learn how to perform the self-breast exam. It only takes a few minutes each month and could possibly save your life. Women over the age of 40 should get a mammogram once a year. Women with a familial link -- like a mother or sister -- should have a base line mammogram before age 40, according to Captain Blackburn. The captain said it is a good idea to go to the same place to get screened each year so the records are kept together to provide a comparison. If that isn't possible, be sure to keep copies of the reports for the next doctor. Active duty military and dependents can schedule a mammogram by calling 582-6177. Although cancer cannot be prevented, some habits such as maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of cancer. Exercise not only provides a boost to the immune system, it helps maintain weight. With as little as three hours of exercise per week, or about 30 minutes a day, a woman can begin to lower her risk of breast cancer. A nutritious, low-fat diet (30 grams or less) with plenty of fruits and green and orange vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. A high-fat diet increases the risk because fat triggers estrogen production that can fuel tumor growth. According to Captain Blackburn, drugs can sometimes contain estrogen, so men need to be aware of their estrogen intake just as women taking hormone replacements are. Hormone replacement therapy was added to the carcinogenic list by the American Cancer Society in the early 2000s. Women with known risks should speak with their physician about options.