Breast Cancer Prevention & Early Detection

Breast cancer is a preventable disease and, if detected early and diagnosed, a disease that can be successfully treated.

Below are ways to help prevent breast cancer and detect the disease early.

Breast Cancer Prevention

If you have babies, breast feed them.
Limit alcohol to no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
Exercise daily for 30 to 60 minutes.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit.

Breast Cancer Early Detection

In your 20s and 30s, have a clinical breast exam (CBE) by a health care professional at least every three years.
Beginning at age 40, have an annual CBE.
At age 40, begin annual screening mammography.
If you are at high risk, talk with your health care professional about beginning annual screening mammograms at a younger age and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk with your health care professional about genetic testing.
At menopause, talk with your health care professional about whether you should have hormone replacement therapy.
Breast self-exam is one way that you can get to know what is normal for your breasts. If you notice changes, see your health care professional right away.

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Additional Information - feel free to download these brochures:

Bermuda Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment Program

Bermuda’s First Cancer Genetics Clinic - this program is open to all women (and men) in Bermuda with a goal to identify patients at high risk and to take measures to either prevent cancer or find it at an earlier, more treatable stage.

As the island’s first clinic for cancer genetic testing, the Bermuda Cancer and Health Center is collaborating and supporting this program initiative in an attempt to decrease the island’s morbidity and mortality from breast and ovarian cancers.

Under the medical direction of Dr. Kevin Hughes, a leading breast specialist from the Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Hughes is available to meet to determine your heredity risk factors by reviewing your family history.

All new patients must complete their family history through this link before they come in for a consultation. Or download your copy here and email it to Dr. Kevin S. Hughes, M.D., FACS.

Cancer Information Service

To obtain current cancer information and support options - simply call 232-2247 and you will be connected with a trained and knowledgeable Cancer Information Specialist. You will have access to information such as:

Types of cancer
Cancer treatments and side effects
Clinical trials
Coping with cancer
Emotional support services Prevention
Help in the Community
Complementary therapies
Services in Bermuda

Please click here for more information on the Cancer Information Service (phone/email/website options).

If you have questions about cancer, we have answers:

By Phone

441-236-1001

Online

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