Finding cancer early means that it is less likely to have spread and treatment can be started earlier in the course of the disease. Early detection allows for more treatment options and a better ability to recover.

Screening mammograms are considered the international gold standard for detecting breast cancer early. Mammograms can usually find lumps 2 or 3 years before a woman or her primary care provider can feel them.

While women with a family history of breast cancer have a higher than average risk, the biggest risk factor for breast cancer is being a woman over 50 years of age.