The Importance of Not Skipping Your Breast Exams

Breast cancer affects about 13% of women in the United States at some point in their lives. That’s roughly one in eight women. With numbers like these, it's not something you want to take chances with, especially when it comes to your health.

At Clinica Agua Viva, we offer comprehensive family medicine, including OB/GYN care from Dr. Jose Salas in Lindsay, California. Dr. Salas provides breast exams as part of routine well-woman visits to detect early warning signs of breast cancer.

Breast exams can play a key role in early detection, which can preserve your health — and even save your life. If you're due or overdue for your annual breast exam, it's time to schedule an appointment.

How regular breast exams protect your health

Breasts contain specialized tissue, and while both men and women have some breast tissue, breast cancer is far more common in women. In fact, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in the U.S. It’s caused by the abnormal growth of breast tissue cells.

Regular self-exams are a great way to monitor your breast health, especially if you have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. However, self-exams don’t replace the need for a clinical breast exam by a medical professional.

During a clinical breast exam, a trained OB/GYN provider, like Dr. Salas, manually checks the area under your collarbones, armpits, and breasts for abnormalities while you lie on your back. Dr. Salas also visually inspects your breasts for lumps or irregularities.

If a clinical or self-exam reveals a lump or other abnormality, further testing — such as a mammogram or breast ultrasound — may be necessary. Dr. Salas can provide referrals for these tests if needed. The benefit of regular self-exams and clinical breast exams is that they can detect warning signs of breast cancer early, when treatment options are more effective.

Reasons not to skip your annual breast exam

It’s easy to find reasons to delay medical screenings, but when it comes to breast cancer, early detection is key. For some women, the risks are even higher. A family history of breast cancer, or an early onset of menstruation (before age 12), may increase your chances of developing the disease.

Though assessing your risk of breast cancer can feel overwhelming, the primary care team at Living Water Clinic provides personalized and compassionate support to help you take control of your long-term health.

If you’re between 25 and 39 years old, it’s recommended that you have a clinical breast exam every 1-3 years. After turning 40, annual breast exams are advised. Additionally, you should discuss with Dr. Salas whether a mammogram is right for you.

Many women juggle responsibilities like work and caregiving and often put their own health last. But breast cancer can significantly impact your ability to care for others — or worse, it can be fatal. By prioritizing preventive care, like regular breast exams, you help ensure that you can continue supporting your loved ones.

Preventive screenings are far less time-consuming and costly than treating advanced breast cancer. By making and keeping your breast exam appointments, you’re investing in your health and potentially saving yourself from much bigger challenges down the road.

To schedule a breast exam, call Living Water Clinic at (559)-784-5483 or Clinica Agua Viva in Lindsay at (559)-562-1361 today, or request an appointment online.