|
|||
   |
|||
Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives
Suggested Links:
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month, health care providers' efforts intensify to help women learn more about the disease that strikes 1 in 8 American women. More than 180,000 are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, and about 44,000 women and 400 men die of it each year. But early detection and appropriate treatment can make a great difference.
WHO IS AT RISK?
"It's important for each woman to be familiar with the physical characteristics of her own breasts so that she is aware of changes that might occur over time," explains Brenda Carlson, R.N., M.S., A.O.C.N., of the John Muir Breast Center - Walnut Creek. "Fortunately, most changes are normal and benign, but if there is a problem, early identification allows for rapid evaluation and increases the potential for successful treatment," she adds.
WHAT CAN I DO FOR EARLY DETECTION?
"Some suspected risk factors aren't fully understood and
therefore can't always be controlled," adds Vicki Rocconi, R.N.,
O.C.N., nurse educator at John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus's Breast Health
Center. "You can, however, take steps for early detection and
appropriate treatment." Rocconi recommends the following actions
for all women:
- Perform breast self-exams monthly beginning at age 20.
- Have a clinical breast exam annually by your physician.
- Women 40 or over should have screening mammograms every year.
Low-income women in California who are underinsured or without health insurance are eligible for free annual mammography screenings through a special Early Detection Program. Information can be obtained by calling 1-800-4-CANCER.
WHEN SHOULD I PERFORM BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION (BSE)?
After age 20, examine your breasts monthly. The best time is 7 to 10 days after the start of your menstrual period, when swelling and tenderness are minimal. If you no longer have periods, are pregnant or breast feeding, choose a regular time--such as the first day of the month--for BSE.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR DURING BSE?
- Lump or mass in breast or armpit
- Change in size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or redness of the skin
- Itching or crust on the nipple
- Sudden inversion (drawing inward) of the nipple
- Abnormal nipple discharge or bleeding
See your doctor or other breast health professional if you have any of these symptoms. Remember, most breast lumps (8 out of 10) are not cancerous.
WHAT IF I FIND A LUMP?
Your doctor will first carefully feel (palpate) the lump and tissue around it. He/she can then use mammography, and in some cases ultrasonography, to help identify the breast mass. A needle aspiration or needle biopsy of the mass can yield fluid or indicate a solid mass, giving additional information and evidence for lab testing. Newer techniques, such as stereotactic breast biopsy or a core biopsy guided by ultrasound, make the procedure more reliable, cost-effective and less invasive than surgical biopsy. When indicated, a surgical biopsy removes a portion of the mass for further evaluation under a microscope.
HOW IS A MAMMOGRAM DONE?
Mammograms are quick and easy. As you stand facing the X-ray equipment, the technologist places your breast between two plastic plates and compresses it. This process may cause slight discomfort, but it helps to get a clear image of your breast tissue. The entire procedure requires only 5 to 10 minutes. A mammogram can detect a lump before it is large enough to feel. "The radiation dose is very low, and benefits from early diagnosis far outweigh any potential risk," Carlson emphasizes.
YOUR BEST DEFENSE
Health care providers agree that women should learn and practice BSE once a month. Become familiar with the normal feel and appearance of your breasts and be sensitive to any changes. Stay on a regular schedule of clinical breast examinations and mammograms. If you identify a change or a difference in your breast tissue, seek medical attention right away. Early diagnosis and treatment give the best chance of being "cured."