Breast Cancer. The words are very scary, and often when heard, many questions come to mind. Why me? What did I do to cause this? How could I have prevented this? The answers to these questions are often unknown, however, with new advances in breast cancer research, we are beginning to have an understanding of what potential risk factors are, and what screening and detection methods for breast cancer are best.   Unfortunately, it is estimated that over 230,000 women, and 2,100 men will hear these words in 2011, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer is the second most common cancer among women. Right now there are more than 2 million women living in the United States with breast cancer, and it is estimated 40,000 will die from the disease in this year.

Breast cancer tends to be caused by a combination of factors. Some of these factors are out of our control, such as gender, age, genetic make-up, ethnicity or family history of breast cancer. While other factors may be related to personal choices we have made, such as having had children, breastfeeding, smoking, or obesity. It is also important to remember, that having one or more risk factors, does not give a 100% chance of getting breast cancer. In fact, many women and men diagnosed with breast cancer are at average risk, or had no identifiable risk factors.

Once risk factors have been identified it is important to look at what screening methods are available, and which types are most effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer, or death from breast cancer. Screening has helped to reduce the rates of death from breast cancer 2.3% each year since 1990. Mammography has been typically referred to as the “Gold Standard” for detecting breast cancer early. While the mammogram is a very accurate tool for screening, it is not perfect. On average, according to the American Cancer Society, mammography will detect about 80-90% of breast cancer in women without symptoms. Other tools that are beneficial in preventing or identifying breast cancer are knowing the symptoms of breast cancer, self-breast exams, and clinical breast exams.

Breast cancer may present with symptoms such as a swelling in part of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, discharge from the nipple, or a lump or mass in the breast or under the arm. As these are not all of the possible symptoms of breast cancer, any change in the breast should be reported to a health care provider.  You should also discuss with your provider what types of screening you should be having performed and the frequency of these screenings based on your personal and family medical history. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends annual clinical breast exams for women ages 40 and older, and every one to three years for women ages 20-39.  They also encourage breast self-exams and awareness, for women ages 20 and older. Enhanced breast cancer screening, such as more frequent clinical breast exams, annual MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or mammograms before age 40, may be recommended for women at high risk of breast cancer. Breast MRI is not recommended for women at average risk of developing breast cancer.1

Thermography is another valuable tool of detection.  Thermography uses an infrared scanner to measure heat patterns in the body and, through digital technology, create a thermal map of the breast on a computer screen.  The thermogram shows whether a woman has abnormal blood flow and energy to her breasts, allowing a look at the physiology or function in the breast.  Lymphatic activity can be monitored also.

Popular for their “no squish” approach to breast screening, thermal imaging is a valuable procedure for alerting your doctor to physiological changes that can indicate early stage breast disease.  Many women of all ages are seeking out Breast Thermography screening as a complementary procedure to traditional mammography but it is important to understand it does not replace mammography. Thermography is especially appropriate for younger women (starting at age 25 years) with dense breast tissue, for men (more and more are being diagnosed with breast cancer each year), and for women who have undergone breast augmentation/reduction surgery.

Radiant Health Imaging, Inc., a Midwest leader in Clinical Thermography, provides clinical thermography services at Heart and Hand WomanCare in Lincoln. Scanning appointments are available once a month on the 3rd Tuesday. Anita Kelley, RN, and clinical thermographer, operates the RHI Omaha clinic and will be servicing the Lincoln area with a mobile unit. She has a 20 year nursing career and a deep commitment to empower others through prevention and early detection.

Once a diagnosis has been made, it can be very frightening.   Many times those who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer or their families and friends think that in order to take advantage of the latest treatments, they need to seek medical care out of state.  The Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC), through participation in the Missouri Valley Cancer Consortium Community Clinical Oncology Program, brings National Cancer Institute (NCI) clinical trials to the local level, allowing patients to remain at home surrounded by their support system while accessing the most up-to-date, cutting edge cancer therapies available.  The Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC) works closely with all Lincoln oncology clinics and hospitals to make these trials available to their patients.  To date, over 1,500 patients have participated in clinical studies through Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC).

The Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC) has over 40 NCI-sponsored clinical research trials open to enrollment at any one time.  Their research nurses screen potential study patients in order to determine whether they meet the eligibility criteria for any of these studies and then relay this information to the patient’s oncologist.  The oncologist explains the study to their patient and if the patient is interested in participating, their nurses assist with the consenting process, enroll the patient into the study, and monitor their treatment to ensure that it meets the study’s protocol.   The NCRC data staff submit data reports back to the study groups at defined intervals.

Once active treatment is completed, they continue to monitor the patient and submit follow-up data to the study groups.  This can continue for a number of years.  The Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC) also has a wig bank on site, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, where cancer patients undergoing treatment can come to pick out a wig or a prosthesis free of charge.  They can also refer patients to support groups or counseling services, depending upon their needs.  NCRC is funded in part by the National Cancer Institute as well as BryanLGH Medical Center and Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center.  The Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC) is a program of the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, a non-profit organization.

As October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is a perfect time for you to schedule your annual screening, based on current recommendations. And while October serves as this important reminder, your breast health should be considered year round and any concerns you have should be discussed with your health care provider immediately.

1. Information provided by Women’s Clinic of Lincoln