During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Cancer Society reminds women that early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer. If caught early, the breast cancer survival rate is 98 percent. If diagnosed late, the survival rate drops to 27 percent. The best way to detect breast cancer early is through regular mammograms, according to the American Cancer Society.

Despite continuing advances in breast cancer detection, treatment and survival rates, breast cancer is still a major killer of women and the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death. The American Cancer Society estimates that 182,460 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States in 2008 and 40,480 women will die of the disease. In Georgia, the Society expects 4,910 women to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and 1,110 of them to die of the disease.

The American Cancer Society continues to recommend mammograms for all women age 40 and older every year to help detect breast cancer early.

"Regular mammograms are the best way for a woman to detect her breast cancer early and increase her opportunity to survive the disease," said Gwen Bryant, mission delivery director for the American Cancer Society in Georgia. "As part of the American Cancer Society's screening guidelines, we recommend that women great regular mammograms beginning at age 40."

In addition to mammograms, the Society also recommends the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening for some women at increased risk for breast cancer. For most women who have a 20 to 25 percent or greater lifetime risk of the disease, according to risk assessment tools based mainly on family history, screening with MRI and mammography should begin at age 30 years and continue for as long as a woman is in good health. The Society's guidelines are a critical step in helping to define who should be screened using MRI in addition to mammography, as women at very high risk of breast cancer can be diagnosed much earlier when combining the two technologies rather than mammography alone.

American Cancer Society screening guidelines for breast cancer include:

.. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40. The age at which screening should be stopped should be individualized by considering the potential risks and benefits of screening in the context of overall health status and longevity.

.. Clinical breast exam should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and older.

.. Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam is an option for women starting in their 20s.

..Women at increased risk for breast cancer because of factors such as family history, genetic tendency and past breast cancer, should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests or having more frequent exams.

The Atlanta-based American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or log on to www.cancer.org.