My Forsyth Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

Becoming Aware of Breast
Cancer Risks & Screening
By Dr. Nada Megally
Breast cancer accounts for 30% of all new cases of cancer
diagnosed in women in the United States, a woman’s lifetime
risk of developing breast cancer is approximately 12%.
Breast cancer mortality rates have tremendously decreased
over the past 50 years, and that can be attributed to early
detection and screening guidelines, as well as improvements
in breast cancer treatment.
The main risk factors for breast cancer are female gender and
advancing age. Although other characteristics have been associated
with an increased risk of breast cancer, most women in whom invasive
breast cancer is diagnosed do not have identifiable risk factors.
The goal of screening is to detect preclinical disease in healthy,
asymptomatic patients to prevent adverse outcomes, improve survival,
and avoid the need for more intensive treatments.
Breast self-examination, breast self-awareness, clinical breast
examination, and mammography all have been used alone or in
combination to screen for breast cancer.
Women at average risk of breast cancer should begin screening
mammography starting at age 40. If they have not, they should begin
screening mammography by no later than age 50 years.
The decision about the age to begin mammography screening should
be made through a shared decision-making process with your health
care provider.
Shared decision making is important for decisions regarding breast
cancer screening due to many choices involved in personal preferences
related to potential benefits and adverse consequences, as well as each
individual’s differing risk factors.
Your health care provider will periodically assess your personal
breast cancer risk by reviewing your history and family history of cancer
in first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree relatives as well as the
age of diagnosis. If you are at an increased risk of breast cancer, further
risk assessment will be performed.
If you believe that you are at an increased risk of developing breast
cancer, or have not had your annual screening, speak to your health care
provider today to help determine your recommended screening schedule.
*Georgia Department of Public Health
Modern OBGYN has three convenient office locations. Visit our newest office at Avalon in Alpharetta located at
2710 Old Milton Parkway Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30009. For more information on our practice and providers,
visit www.reyesobgyn.com.
Dr. Nada Megally, originally from Egypt, moved to Georgia at the age of 11. Dr. Megally is a member of the American
Congress of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
40 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME X | ISSUE 3