National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Three Steps in Saving Women’s Lives

By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health

One in every eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States, accounting for one in every three new cancers diagnosed in women each year. Breast cancer diagnoses are on the rise. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates 287,850 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. One in every six of those women will die.

But these deaths can be prevented.

The most important way to prevent breast cancer deaths is early detection. Similar to other cancers, breast cancer can spread to different parts of the body if left untreated or undiagnosed. Regular screening tests are best way to find cancer early. Here are three steps you and your health care provider can take to detect breast cancer.

1. Self-examination

Beginning in your early 20s, performing regular self-examinations of your breasts familiarizes you with how your breasts look and feel. Knowing your breasts makes it easier to report any changes to a doctor. For this specific method, the American Breast Cancer Foundation recommends using different motions while assessing your breast health.

• Circular – Start at the outer edge of your breast and move fingers around the entire breast in a circular motion.
• Vertical – Start at your underarm area and move your fingers down and back up until you have checked your entire breast.
• Wedge – Start at the outer edge of your breast and move your fingers toward the nipple and back to the edge until you have checked the entire breast in small, wedge-shaped sections.

You can also check your breasts in the mirror for any visual changes like swelling or a change in shape. Doctors recommend conducting self-exams once a month.

2. Breast exams with a health care provider

A clinical breast exam, or CBE, is an option for women in their 20s or 30s. Make an appointment with your health care professional. At the appointment, talk about any concerns you have about your breast health. Possible warning signs to discuss include:

• Swelling of all or part of the breast
• Skin dimpling
• Breast or nipple pain
• Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry or flaking
• Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)

3. Mammograms

Women over the age of 40 can also get CBEs, but they are typically done along with mammograms. If you are a woman 40 years old or older, get a mammogram every year. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, talk with your doctor about more frequent mammograms.

Mammograms are an examination that include an X-ray of each breast. The X-ray images help health care providers identify any signs or symptoms of cancer, often before a woman might notice a change or an issue. These signs or symptoms include:

• Calcifications – Tiny calcium deposits within the breast tissue that can look like small white spots
• Masses – Abnormal breast tissue with a shape and edge that look different than other breast tissue; can be solid or fluid-filled
• Asymmetries – White areas that look different from the normal breast tissue pattern
• Distortions – When an area of the breast tissue is indented or pulled toward a certain point

While some of these do not always automatically mean cancer, mammograms are considered the best way to screen for any possible issues. Getting an annual mammogram helps reduce the number of breast cancer deaths in women between the ages of 40 and 70.

If you are pregnant or think you are pregnant, make sure to let your health care provider know when you make your mammogram appointment.

If you do not have health insurance or need assistance with getting a breast exam, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) can help you find a screening program near you and whether you are eligible for free or low-cost breast exams. The American Breast Cancer Foundation also provides assistance to underserved and uninsured individuals for screenings and diagnostic tests. You can apply by calling 1-844-219-2223 or contact them at info@abcf.org.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Talk with your doctor about your risks for breast cancer. If you are age 40 or older, schedule your mammogram today. Screening saves lives.