Your best protection against breast cancer is finding it early. The three elements of early detection are breast self-exam, clinical breast exam and mammography. The American Cancer Society has set the following guidelines:

Breast Self-Exam
Age: 20 and older
Frequency: every month

Clinical Breast Exam by a Physician
Age: 20-39 years
Frequency: every 3 years
Age: 40 and older
Frequency: every year

Mammogram
Age: 40 and older
Frequency: every year