Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer for women. Your risk of breast cancer increases if you:

• Are age 40 or older
• Have a mother, sister or daughter who has had breast cancer
• Started your period before age 12
• Started menopause after age 55
• Had your first child after age 30
• Have no children
• Had a previous breast biopsy
• Had a biopsy showing precancerous cells
• Have had breast cancer before

What you can do to prevent and treat breast cancer

Living healthily is an important way to prevent breast cancer. But you're still at risk even if you do all the right things. That's why early detection is so important. When cancer is found and treated early, you have a better chance of healing.

Consider these tips for early detection:

• Perform monthly breast self-exams (PDF). Check your breasts monthly starting at age 20. Talk with your doctor if you notice any changes.
• Get regular checkups and mammograms as necessary. Mammograms should be done every one to two years for women age 40 or older. Begin at 30 if you're at high risk.

Tips to help prevent breast cancer:

• Develop healthy habits. Limit alcohol. Eat low-fat foods and lots of fruits and vegetables. Try to stay close to the weight your doctor says is right for you. Exercise regularly.
• Stop smoking. When it comes to cancer, tobacco remains the single biggest risk. Smoking is responsible for at least a third of cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.
• Breastfeed. If you plan to have a baby, breastfeeding can help lower the risk of breast cancer.

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor will likely recommend a combination of treatments depending on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer and your overall health. Common ways of treating breast cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy.

How to talk to your doctor

Make sure you know your risk factors and follow the tips for early detection. Be sure to:

• See your doctor right away if you notice:
• A lump or thickening on or near your breast
• A change in the size or shape of your breast
• Discharge from your nipple
• A change in the color or texture of the skin on or around your breast
• Tell your doctor about your risk factors to find out if you should get mammograms more often

Olivia Newton-John, Ambassador for Source4Women

Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. The same weekend, her father died from cancer. She underwent a partial mastectomy and breast reconstruction, and has been cancer-free for more than 15 years.

Olivia wants to share her experience, and talk with women about breast health and how important it is to regularly perform all steps to early detection. "It's better to know than not to know," says Olivia. "Most women spend so much time nurturing and taking care of others that they put themselves last. And if you put your breast health last, you run the risk of losing your best defense – early detection. I know this all too well from my own experience. It was early detection, actually regular breast self-examination that saved my life."

Listen to a message from Olivia Newton-John

How UnitedHealthcare can help

Use UnitedHealthcare's tools and resources to help you address breast cancer.

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