News: Breast Cancer Screening

This is the time of year you will be seeing “PINK” everywhere you look! As you know, October is “BREAST CANCER AWARENESS” month and you’ll be hearing about the importance of breast cancer screenings and stories about the women and men affected by breast cancer.

Breast cancer is not selective; it does not care if you are 20 or 90 years old. Statistics show that 1:8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women, as well as an estimated 60,290 additional cases of in situ breast cancer and about 2,350 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.Men are generally at low risk for developing breast cancer; however, they should report any change in their breast to a physician.

Breast cancer screening means checking a woman’s breasts for cancer before she has any symptoms. A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Mammograms are the best way to find cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. That being said, it is very important that you do breast self-exams each month. Your physician will be happy to discuss this and show you the proper technique to perform this very important exam.

The main factors that influence your breast cancer risk are being a woman and getting older. Other risk factors include:

Changes in breast cancer-related genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2).

Having your first menstrual period before age 12.

Never giving birth, or being older when your first child is born.

Starting menopause after age 55.

Taking hormones to replace missing estrogen and progesterone in menopause more than five years.

Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills).

A personal history of breast cancer, dense breasts, or some other breast problems.

A family history of breast cancer (parent, sibling, or child).

Getting radiation therapy to the breast or chest.

Being overweight, especially after menopause.

Some of the symptoms and early signs of breast cancer include but are not limited to:

A new lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)

Thickening or swelling of part of the breast

Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast

Irritation or dimpling of the breast skin,

Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area

Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood,

Any change in the size or shape of the breast

Pain in the breast.

Other conditions can cause these symptoms. If you have any signs that worry you, call your physician right away. Remember “EARLY DETECTION IS YOUR BEST PROTECTION.”