Breast cancer is predicted to kill more than 40,000 U.S. women this year, while 192,000 more will be diagnosed with the disease. With early detection, however, nearly 90 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will live at least five years.

The keys to early detection are getting an annual mammogram combined with regular self-exams of the breasts, says Dr. Phil Evans, associate vice president for imaging services at UT Southwestern Medical Center. "We recommend annual mammograms beginning at age 40," Dr Evans says. "For high-risk groups, including women who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer or women who had chest X-rays for Hodgkin's disease when they were younger, we recommend they consult with their doctor to determine if they need to start earlier."

Women whose mothers had breast cancer before they were 40 years old should start getting regular mammograms at age 30, Dr. Evans says.