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Looking Glass celebrates one year of service by Susan Kammeraad-Campbell Director of Publications, Marketing When Margaret Logan was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39, she faced the loss of a breast, six months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. “It's a huge thing, emotionally,” Logan said. Survival is the biggest focus, but quality of life issues also come to bear. Not only did she endure the anxiety and discomfort of a modified-radical mastectomy, but like most who experience chemotherapy, she lost all her hair, even her eyebrows and eyelashes. The prospect of going to the mall and looking for a wig or to a department store and trying to find a bra that would accommodate her prosthesis was not something Logan looked forward to with pleasure. “I knew I would feel self-conscious,” she said. Happily for Logan, a friend told her about the Looking Glass Gift Shop at Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC. The shop, which is celebrating its one year anniversary this month, is designed specifically with the needs of cancer patients in mind and is run by a registered nurse whose background is in cancer clinical trials. “When they come here,” said Susan Gibson, R.N., “they can let down their hair or bare their bald head or show their scars or shed their tears. It’s a safe haven.” The shop has books about surviving cancer and a wide assortment of hats, scarves, wigs, bathing suits, as well as special lotions and creams that help offset the drying effects of therapy. There is a private room to try on wigs and dressing rooms to fit bras and breast prostheses. Gibson speaks with excitement about a new prostheses that has just arrived in the shop. “See how light it is,” she says. “It’s made of whipped silicon.” “What’s wonderful about coming here is it’s a one-stop shop for most everything I need to deal with the effects of my cancer,” Logan said. “Plus, Susan is just wonderful. She knows the clinical aspects of cancer, and is good at making you feel cared for. You don’t have to explain anything, she just seems to know.” Carolyn Reed, M.D., director of the Hollings Cancer Center, was the driving force behind the creation of the shop. “I was really determined we were going to have this,” she said. “Patients would ask me, ‘Am I going to lose my hair?’ Now I’m able to tell them, ‘Yes, but we have this wonderful shop that will make a difference for you when that happens.’” The Looking Glass Gift Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located near the lobby of Hollings Cancer Center on Jonathan Lucas Street.   Mammogram: Do you think you’re too young or too scared? by Susan Kammeraad-Campbell Director of Publications, Marketing I have heard the horror stories, of course. The ones that say getting a mammogram is like placing your breast on a driveway and inviting a semi to drive over it. In the back of my mind I thought, “At least I won’t have to worry about that until I’m in my fifties.” Turns out I was wrong on both counts: Don’t wait until you’re 50 to get your first mammogram and don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt. Current mammography guidelines from the American Cancer Society and MUSC recommend a baseline mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40, and yearly mammograms for all women 40 years and older. “A base-line mammogram is important to have so that if changes or abnormalities occur in your breasts, we have something to compare it to,” said Lisa Baron, M.D., a radiologist at the MUSC Medical Center who specializes in mammography. So, as a 41-year-old mother of three, I realized I was already behind schedule for a baseline mammogram. At my annual physical, I got a prescription from my gynecologist, then called to schedule my mammogram at MUSC. The appointment would be timed when my breasts would be least tender, about a week after my menstrual period. MUSC recommends on the day of your exam that you make the following preparations: Come with the written referral or prescription from your doctor and your insurance or Medicare card(s). Wear a two piece outfit Avoid using deodorant, talcum powder or lotion on the breasts, chest or underarms Tell the technologist about any problem with your breasts—even if it seems minor—or if you think you are pregnant. On the day of my screening, I was invited to view a videotape on breast self-examination. The tape reminded me of the importance of doing a self-examination every month. “No screening process is 100 percent accurate,” said Baron. “But doing all three screening techniques—self-exam, professional exam and mammogram—is the best way to monitor your breast health.” And on this topic, Baron is emphatic: “Breast screening,” she said, “can save your life.” Current technology is so sensitive it can detect cancer cells smaller than the point of a pen. “If you come in early, we stand the best chance of catching it early. And the earlier the detection, the better the chance of cure,” she said. My experience at the mammography center at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center was painless. Mammography technologist Drea Barnhart, who has been doing mammograms for six years, said she actively encourages dialogue, especially if the patient is receiving her first mammogram. “It’s important for patients to feel they have a voice in this process, because they do,” Barnhart said. “At no point should a mammogram be painful.” When mammography was first developed, the techniques were different, according to Baron, who said historically breasts were compressed much more during X-ray procedures than they are today. “The idea now is to give good compression, so the breast is taut, but without causing the patient discomfort,” she said, adding not only is it more comfortable for the patient, but it also gives a better reading. The screening only takes about 15 minutes. Afterwards, a radiologist reads the X-rays, looking for anything unusual or suspicious. Results of the screening are mailed within a couple of weeks. If something appears abnormal, you will be contacted by your health care provider to follow-up with additional tests. Getting an abnormal report is cause for concern, but it does not necessarily mean breast cancer. It just means further testing is needed. Women should begin monthly breast self-examinations in their teens. Baron recommends conducting the self-exam a week after you finish your period, when breasts have the least swelling and tenderness. “Make it a habit, like brushing your teeth,” she said. “It’s an excellent way for women to be pro-active in their health.” The presence or lack of pain is no indication of breast cancer. When you do a self-exam, look for the following symptoms: Visible dimpling Lumps Bloody discharge from the nipple Redness of the breast skin or nipple New inversion or sinking of the nipple Swelling in the armpit Uneven enlargement or shrinkage in one breast only Contact your health care provider immediately if you notice any of these conditions. Once you’ve gone through a screening, your mammogram films and report will be kept on file at the center as part of your permanent medical record, which is available to you and your health care provider. I’m happy to report that my base-line mammogram was normal. Editor's note: The article is reprinted from Checkup newsletter, produced by MUSC Creative Services.