Breast Adenocarcinoma at 20x Magnification

Risk of developing breast cancer rises as women get older. Most malignancies develop around the time of menopause, about 75 percent of cases involving women 50 years of age or older. The disease can strike at any time, however, and it is widely recommended that all women over the age of 20 perform a monthly self-examination of the breasts. Most medical societies also suggest that women 40 and older receive mammograms on an annual basis. Such emphasis on detection is reflective of the fact that while breast cancer cannot be readily prevented, early discovery of the disease can greatly reduce the risk of developing advanced cancer, which is generally much more difficult to treat.