Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Early detection is the key to overcoming the disease.

More than 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Early detection increases survival rates and treatment options for women of all ages. Dr. Elizabeth Peralta, assistant professor of surgery at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains the advantages of early detection.

SOUND BITE: "Ah a breast cancer that is smaller than a centimeter can be treated without chemotherapy most of the time and have about a 90 percent cure rate. Ah greater than 2 centimeters does require chemotherapy and can have an increased mortality rate. So ah that's the main benefit. Ah there's also the opportunity for breast conservation treatment with a smaller breast cancer and a woman can avoid masectomy."

Dr. Peralta says a good breast exam includes a clinical examination by a physician, a review of a woman's risk factors, and a mammogram. Mammography screening is the most effective method of early detection and an annual mammogram is recommended for women over age 40. The majority of breast cancers are diagnosed in women who don't have any specific risk factors except that their age over 50. She explains some of the risk factors:

SOUND BITE: " . . . women who have had a previous abnormal biopsy or ah family members, particularly one or more first degree relatives - that would be like a mother and a sister with breast cancer are at higher risk. Women who have ah long exposure to hormone replacement therapy might also be a group that we recommend ah screening immediately if they haven't had it before because recent studies have shown that that does increase risk."

Insurance companies and Medicare are required to cover mammography screening for breast cancer. Low income women without insurance may qualify for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer program. For more information about the program, call 1-800-269-4019.