October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Most of you reading this has a loved one that has been affected by breast cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, 25% of all deaths in the United States are related to Cancer. It is estimated that women will have a 13% chance of developing breast cancer in their life, and a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Of the 4 girls, including myself, that was on my senior high school trip, one has already succumbed to breast cancer. To say breast cancer is everywhere is an understatement. Even men can get breast cancer!! That’s why knowing about and screening for breast cancer is so important!
Screening for breast cancer has at least 2 different recommendations. The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends routine screening every 2 years if a woman wants to, starting at age 40-49 and routine screening every two years after age 50, to stop at 74. The American Cancer Society recommends routine annual screening mammograms 40-55 and then you can go to every two years if wanted, only to stop at age 74. Over 75 is not recommended by either. Clinical breast examination (exam by your PCP in the office) is not recommended by either.
Mammograms have saved countless lives, and are covered by your insurance as part of your routine screening. These services are typically covered by Medicare and Medicaid. If you find yourself insured, most health departments offer some screening mammograms a year for free. There are also lost cost cash-pay options available at most hospitals and radiology centers. While mammograms are uncomfortable, they are often very short-lived and most last less than 15 minutes. But this small amount of time can save your life!
What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is simply when cells grow out of control. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer can be lumps, dimpling, nipple discharge, change in shape, thickening of breast or pain. You can also have no signs and symptoms and have cancer. Many women have natural lumps in this breast that are cysts or dense tissue in the breasts. Some women have dense breasts, breasts that have thicker tissue inside and may require additional images after their mammogram to make sure the densities aren’t cancer. Historically, having a history of dense breast tissue does increase your risk of having breast cancer, so it is important to follow through with your follow up images. Breast cancer can either be localized or metastasized—meaning spread to other parts of the body.
If you do have an abnormal mammogram it will more than likely be followed up with an ultrasound and if that is suspicious they will do a biopsy to determine what kind of cancer you have in your breast. Finding the type of cancer in your breast is essential to getting the correct treatment.
There are several times of breast cancer and determining what type you have is essential to the treatment you get. The are 4 major types are Estrogen receptive, progesterone receptive, and HER2 receptive. The last one is called “triple negative” because it is unreceptive to any of the above three receptors, making it harder to treat, but not impossible. So the types and treatments are like locks and keys, you have to have the correct treatment for the type of cancer you have. Treatments vary on the severity of your cancer from radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy and others. Many patients find themselves in clinical trials as new and better treatments for breast cancer are being developed all the time.
The bottom line on breast cancer is that it is everywhere and will more than likely affect someone you love and care about in your lifetime! Screening and prevention is the key to survival. THE EARLIER THE BETTER! Follow the recommended guidelines, and if you are uncertain, please discuss with your PCP. There are free and low-cost options available to help you. If you know someone that has avoided mammograms, I encourage you to encourage them to be breast wise!
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/what-is-breast-cancer.html
Becoming Wellness Wise 