Early
detection is key to help maximize longer life
by Lisa F. Baron, M.D.
Co-director of Mammography
Hollings Mammography Center
One in eight American women will develop breast cancer by the
age of 85.
This means that approximately 182,000 women will be diagnosed with the
disease this year alone. Yet, most of these women will do very well despite
the diagnosis of cancer and will live out their normal life expectancy.
Early detection is the key to help maximize the chances for a healthy
and long life following the discovery of breast cancer. However, you need
to be involved and you need to practice routine breast cancer screening.
Breast cancer screening involves three parts:
-
Monthly self breast examinations
-
Yearly clinical breast examinations by your health care provider
-
Yearly mammograms beginning at age 40.
Although breast cancer screening is not 100 percent in discovering all
breast cancers, it is all that is available at the present time.
Knowing the warning signs of breast cancer can allow you to alert your
health care provider as early as possible that there is a problem.
Each month, you should perform a self breast examination. Each
year, you should have a yearly mammogram beginning at age 40. In addition,
you should have a yearly clinical breast examination by your health care
provider.
While preforming monthly self-breast examination it is important to
know the signs of breast cancer. These include:
-
A visible lump or a lump that you can feel.
-
Changes in the skin color or texture of the breast. If the skin becomes
thickened or red this is especially important to tell your health care
provider.
-
Depression or dimpling of the skin. Sometimes this is seen better
when you elevate or lower your arm. You can watch the skin in the mirror
and look for a dimpling on the skin. Sometimes a breast cancer can only
be detected with these maneuvers.
-
Changes in the appearance of the nipple such as retraction or inversion.
If you notice that the nipple begins to turn inward you need to tell
your health care provider because this may signify that a cancer is growing
behind the nipple.
-
Bloody or spontaneous discharge of any color from the nipple. Remember,
clear, greening or milky discharge can sometimes be squeezed from the nipple
- this is normal. If the discharge is not clear it can be easily
tested for blood by using a hemocult card. Sometimes, your health care
provider may send a smear of this fluid to pathology to have it examined
under the microscope.
-
Swelling of the breast or lymph nodes in the arm pit.
If you notice any of these warning signs of breast cancer do not panic.
Call your health care provider and have it checked out. Not all these changes
may represent cancer but you will not know unless you are examined.
If you do not have a health care provider or want more information about
breast cancer screening and treatment you may call the MUSC Health Connection
at 792-1414.
If you need to schedule a mammogram call the Hollings Mammography Center
at 876-0204. |