Piedmont Macon doctor discusses rise in breast cancer among younger women

With this rise in cases, Piedmont Macon general and breast surgeon Jamaal Crawford emphasizes the importance of women receiving mammograms, learning how to self-check at home, and understanding what these screenings can help prevent.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Data from the National Breast Cancer Foundation has recently indicated an increase in younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer.

With this rise in cases, Piedmont Macon general and breast surgeon Jamaal Crawford emphasizes the importance of women receiving mammograms, learning how to self-check at home, and understanding what these screenings can help prevent.

“And the important thing about realizing this is performing self-exams. You take the pads of your fingers, and you want to feel around your breast, starting at the nipple. You’re feeling for anything that feels abnormal. It will feel like a piece of gravel. If you feel anything strange, it’s important to go see a doctor. Starting with your gynecologist or your primary care doctor. And then we can do other tests to work these things up. The biggest way we can prevent bad cancers from developing is early detection and that starts with self-exams,” said Crawford.

Crawford explains that if you have a family history of breast cancer, you may want to begin screenings earlier.

“It’s important to go over these details with a physician—whether your primary care doctor or your gynecologist—who can then take you down a pathway of learning about your risk and if you do qualify for earlier screening or more advanced screening. Which would be alternating mammograms and MRIs every six months,” said Crawford.

Crawford adds that age shouldn’t be a reason to dismiss potential symptoms.

“And Crawford says don’t feel like just because you’re young it’s nothing. It starts off with self-exams, meeting with your doctors regularly, so they can do their exams to treat cancer early and increase survival.”

It is highly recommended for women to begin scheduling mammograms at age 40, but starting earlier can help prevent future health problems as they age.