Sunday, October 14, 2007

Check for cancer by 30 call to women

"WOMEN from families with a history of breast cancer should start going for regular check-ups by the time they are 30, according to a top health professional.

New guidelines from the American Cancer Society suggest those with an increased risk of breast cancer could benefit from additional screening from 30 years or even sooner.

Yearly mammograms are already recommended for women aged 40 and above, said Bahrain Cancer Society support group head and Bahrain Nursing Society president Rula Al Saffar.

However, she warned that women could be at increased risk if they have a family history of breast cancer, have already had the disease or are genetically more susceptible to developing it.

"In Bahrain, they (women) should inform their doctor if they have a history of breast cancer," said Ms Al Saffar.

"But doctors also need to.."