“More and more, breast cancer is being detected in its earliest stages,” explained Radiologist Edgardo Jiongco, MD. “When it’s diagnosed early, there is a better chance of curing women and sustaining lives. But it all comes back to that early detection.”

The American Cancer Society recommends that women older than 40 begin having annual mammograms. They should continue to do so as long as they are in good health. Women younger than that should have a clinical breast exam done by a health professional every three years, and at age 40 should begin yearly exams by a health professional in addition to monthly self breast exams. Some women choose to have a baseline mammogram around the age of 35, and then begin annual exams in their 40s. At age 21, women should begin monthly breast exams.

The chance of a woman having breast cancer sometime in her life is about one in eight. The chance of dying from the disease is about one in 33, according to the American Cancer Society.