As October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, medical professionals are urging women to have

As October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, medical professionals are urging women to have transparent conversations with their families regarding hereditary health risks, as approximately 300,000 cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed annually.

Dr. Graham King Urges Routine Breast Screenings

Dr. Graham King, who performs high-risk breast assessments for the Mayo Clinic Health System, discussed the critical nature of routine screenings during a recent interview, kttc.com reported. Current medical guidance advises that women of average risk initiate regular screenings at age 40.

It affects your mom, your sister, your aunt and sometimes, unfortunately, yourself. What happens to most of these is we catch them early, King stated, according to kttc.com.

Despite the frequency of the disease, discussions surrounding family medical backgrounds often do not happen. King noted that patients frequently hesitate to bring up relatives who have faced a diagnosis.

Ask the questions. I see women on a regular basis that I’ll start asking them about family history and first thing they’ll say is, ‘Well, I think I have maybe an aunt that might’ve had breast cancer, but we really don’t talk about it.’ I always say have those conversations, King said, as reported by kttc.com.

Providers rely on comprehensive multi-generational health histories to properly evaluate individual risk profiles and determine appropriate surveillance intervals.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.