Prevention & Early Detection

October is breast cancer awareness month. The topic of breast cancer can be very overwhelming and confusing for women so let’s focus on two things:

• HOW TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER

• HOW TO DETECT BREAST CANCER EARLY

Can breast cancer be prevented? YES!!!

Everyone with breast tissue has some risk over their lifetime of getting breast cancer. Even if your risk is low (no family history of breast cancer or genetic mutation causing breast cancer) there are simple things you can do to decrease your risk!

• Decrease drinking alcohol- any amount of alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer. At the very least try to drink less than three drinks per week.
• Be active!! Move your body every day, especially after meals!
• Control your weight- women after menopause who are overweight have an incrementally increased risk of breast cancer.
• If you have been taking a combined estrogen/progesterone medication for more than 3 years discuss the risks of this with your doctor.

Can I detect breast cancer early? YES!!!

It is possible to detect breast cancer before it is even Stage I! This type of cancer is called DCIS (ductal carcinoma in-situ). These changes can be detected on mammogram even before the cancer leaves the lining of the duct of the breast.

How can breast cancer be detected early?

If you are a normal risk woman, get your mammogram every year starting at age 40. 3-D mammograms are available at many healthcare facilities, including Lakeview Clinic. If 3-D mammograms are available in your area, get one! It is better at detecting small changes.

What if my mammogram report says I have dense breast tissue?

Having dense breast tissue makes self and physician breast exams important. If you notice any change when feeling your breast tissue, see your doctor. Depending on other risk factors, such as strong family history, you may be a candidate for other types of imaging including ultrasound or MRI. 

Can I have mammograms more than once a year if I am at increased risk for breast cancer?

No, but you could be a candidate for other lab tests, imaging tests or even medication or surgery to decrease your risk. Other factors (besides having breast tissue) that put you at increased risk include if you have had certain cancers before, family history of breast, ovary or pancreas cancer, history of radiation treatment to your chest, biopsy of breast tissue in the past showing atypical cells or lobular carcinoma in-situ (LCIS), or a genetic mutation of BRCA 1 or 2.

Wow! That is a lot of information.

Can my doctor help me determine my risk? YES!! 

As early as the age of 25 your doctor should be asking you questions about you and your family history to determine if you have an increased risk of breast cancer. Based on the answers to these questions, you may need to start your mammograms before age 40 or have other image testing such as MRI. 

Source: NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network)
More information is available on their website nccn.org.