More Breast Cancer Facts
- American Caucasian women develop breast cancer more often than African American, Native American, or Asian women.
- Your risk increases if you have a family history of breast cancer. This is true if there are relatives on either the maternal or paternal sides who have been affected. Risk is higher if there are multiple relatives who have had breast cancer, if the relatives are "first-degree" relatives – mother, sister, daughter – and if the relatives were diagnosed at a pre-menopausal age.
- Studies suggest that the longer a woman is exposed to estrogen, the more likely she is to develop breast cancer. This includes estrogen made by the body, taken as a drug, or delivered by a patch. Also at increased risk are women who began their periods before age 12, never had children, took hormone replacement therapy for long periods of time, or experienced menopause after age 55.
- The average patient's age with a new breast cancer diagnosis is 62. Risk rises after age 40, which is why annual mammograms are recommended by the American Cancer Society for women over the age of 40.
- Women who have had breast cancer in one breast face an increased risk of getting cancer in the other breast. This is particularly true when breast cancer genetic risk is inherited.
- Women who have their first child after age 30 have a greater risk.
Schedule Your Mammogram Today

Women at average risk for breast cancer should begin getting mammograms at age 40 and have one annually beginning at age 45. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate screening frequency for you.
In addition to regular business hours, mammography screenings are offered until 6 p.m. on non-holiday Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A physician’s order is NOT required for a mammogram at Parkview Regional. To make an appointment today, call 254.562.5332 or submit the form below.