Paralyzed By Fear of Breast Cancer? Here's Why Doing Nothing Is Your Worst Plan by Cindy Cooke, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP

One out of every eight women will be diagnosed in her lifetime. Sometimes that paralyzes us into inaction. But doing nothing is the worst thing you can do, and here’s why.

• Breast cancer is almost 100 percent treatable if you find it early. There are 3.1 million breast cancer survivors today, and many owe their lives to early detection. 
• About 85 percent of lumps are not breast cancer. Yes, get every lump you find checked, but if you’ve had regular mammograms, the chances that you find a cancerous lump on our own is small.
• That doesn’t mean you should skip the self-exams, just don’t panic if you find something. Mammograms don’t diagnose cancer. Mammograms detect irregularity – thickening, asymmetry, calcifications, etc. – so having them regularly makes it easier for radiologists to detect when something has changed.

Planning a visit to a nurse practitioner can help reduce your fear and increase your chances of early detection. Go to NPfinder.com and let an NP help you take action.

The information on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information provided through this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal health care provider.