National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is commemorated during October, so now is a great time to talk about the importance of breast self-awareness, mammograms, and early detection.
Breast self-awareness is the most convenient way to detect any physical or visual changes to breast tissue. Besides a lump, signs of breast cancer can include breast pain, thickening of the skin of the breast, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape; however, these signs may also be signs of benign conditions.
Any time you notice a change – whether it be in the form of skin discoloration, unusual skin texture, bump or lump, you should address it with your healthcare provider. This diligence can help in preventing a serious issue before it turns into a health emergency.
Regular screening is just as important as vigilant monitoring. Adult women ages 40+ or those with a family history of breast cancer should have annual mammograms to ensure there are no underlying problems. This is especially important for African American women because they experience a greater mortality rate, 42% more likely than Caucasians to die despite having a lower incidence of breast cancer. The earlier it is detected, the higher the likelihood of successful treatment. Further, it is not uncommon for providers to advise men to undergo a mammogram, especially if they have family history, as breast cancer is a disease that can affect men as well.
Mammograms are the most important tool healthcare providers have not only to screen for breast cancer, but also to diagnose, evaluate, and follow people who’ve had breast cancer. A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast that can be used to check for breast cancer in individuals who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. This type of mammogram is called a screening mammogram. Screening mammograms usually involve two or more x-ray pictures, or images, of each breast. The x-ray images often make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt or can find microcalcifications (tiny deposits of calcium) that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer.
Mammograms can also be used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of the disease has been found. This type of mammogram is called a diagnostic mammogram. Diagnostic mammograms focus on getting more information about a specific area or areas of concern and take more pictures than screening mammograms do. A diagnostic mammogram can also be used to view breast tissue when it is difficult to obtain a screening mammogram because of special circumstances, such as the presence of breast implants.
At Touchette Regional Hospital we are proud to provide the START NOW Mammography & Breast Cancer Awareness Program. This community-based program focuses on providing breast cancer education and patient navigation services. You can learn more about the program by calling 618.332.6130 or visiting https://touchette.org/programs/start-now.
If you already have an order for a mammogram, schedule it at Touchette by calling our radiology department at 618-332-5463.