National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Schedule Your Mammogram Today
October 6, 2008
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society encourages women to follow simple screening guidelines and to learn how to reduce their chance of developing this potentially life threatening disease.
Digital Mammography, the newest technology for breast cancer detection, is available at Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center. In an effort to improve access to screening services, Saint Elizabeth’s now offers extended hours for digital mammography. Appointments are now available through 4:30 pm on most days of the week. To make an appointment for a digital mammogram, please call 651-565-5556.
Prevention and Early Detection
Because of advancements in research and treatment, significant progress has been made over the last 50 years. However, in order for breast cancer incidence rates and deaths to continue to decline, it’s important to remind women about ways to prevent this disease through regular mammograms, self exams, and clinical check ups.
According to the American Cancer Society, this year an estimated 178,480 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and about 40,460 will die from this disease. It’s still the second leading cause of cancer death for females, after lung cancer.
If you are a woman, you are at risk for breast cancer. However, finding it at an early, treatable stage is vital. Unfortunately, some women ignore getting a mammogram. A late stage breast cancer diagnosis is much harder to treat than an early stage diagnosis. The key to treatment for breast cancer and all cancer in fact, is to detect it when it is still at a localized stage.
Although some of the risk factors linked to breast cancer are known, it’s not yet known what all of the causes are. It could be that a woman of average risk for breast cancer may lower her risk somewhat by changing some risk factors. These risk factors include giving birth to several children and breast-feeding them for several months, not smoking, not drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, and maintaining the proper body weight.
It is also important for women to follow the American Cancer Society’s screening guidelines for finding breast cancer early.
Mammogram: Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. A digital mammogram provides improved image quality. This electronic technology allows the radiologist to view the x-ray image more closely, zeroing in on suspicious or concerning areas.
Clinical breast exam: Women in their 20’s and 30’s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular well-woman check every three years. After age 40, women should have a CBE by their primary care provider every year. It might be a good idea to have the CBE shortly before the mammogram.
Breast awareness and breast self-exam (BSE): BSE is an option for women starting in their 20’s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any changes in how their breasts look or feel to their health professional right away. If a woman decides to do BSE, she should have the doctor or nurse check the method to make sure she is doing it properly. If women do BSE on a regular basis, they get to know how their breasts normally look and feel. Then they can more easily notice changes.
Women at high risk: Women with a higher risk of breast cancer should talk with their primary care provider about the best approach for them. This might mean starting mammograms when they are younger or having more frequent exams. Most importantly, see your provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes: a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk. Most of the time breast changes are not cancerous.