About 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In 2011 alone, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 57,650 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. About 39,520 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer. Although these statistics are frightening, the good news is that if detected early, breast cancer can be treated and cured.
Prevention
Knowing your risk factors for getting breast cancer is critical and it’s different for each individual. It depends on a combination of lifestyle and personal traits. Risk factors that are strongly related to the disease include a family history of breast cancer (especially in your mother, sister or daughter); age (in general, the older you are, the greater your risk); never having borne a child; having your first child after age 30; first menstrual period at an early age; a history of benign breast disease that required biopsies and other breast conditions.
Along with knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your healthcare professionals, you should also make every effort to live a healthy lifestyle. This includes getting enough exercise (at least an hour, three times per week), eating plenty of healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting stress.
According to Women’s Clinic of Lincoln, the following are also an important part of good breast health:
–Perform monthly breast exams.
–Have an annual clinical breast exam by a practitioner.
–Have an annual mammogram, if age appropriate.
–If you notice a breast change, such as a lump or nipple discharge, call the office immediately.
–Talk with your practitioner about ways to reduce your risk.
Detection
Breast cancer is one of the most easily detected cancers, but it’s crucial that this happens at an early stage to maximize treatment results. The American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology recommend that women have a mammogram every year beginning at age 40. A woman’s risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. About 1 out of 8 invasive breast cancers are found in women under 45 years of age. About 2 of 3 invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older.
Mammograms are an important tool in diagnosing breast cancer and the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the more likely it is to be treatable or curable. An annual mammogram is recommended in screening for breast cancer. Prior comparison mammograms are critical in the interpretation of the current mammogram. Some facilities offer both bone density testing and mammography. **Information provided by Advanced Medical Imaging
There are two types of mammograms: screening and diagnostic. Screening mammograms are considered routine and are used to check for possible abnormalities in women who are having no signs or symptoms. These mammograms involve two x-rays of each breast. The purpose of screening mammography is to detect abnormalities such as small nodules and microcalcifications while they are still too small to be felt by a woman or her health care provider. If any changes are found, the radiologist will ask to have additional mammogram views taken, which are called diagnostic mammograms.
Diagnostic mammograms require multiple views of the breast which are imaged from several different angles. These images help determine exact size and location of breast abnormalities and to get a closer, magnified view of the area of concern. The radiologist lets the technician know what types of additional views are needed for the type of abnormality detected. These images are different from the images taken in a screening mammogram and there are billed separately and in addition to the screening mammogram charge.
Women’s Clinic of Lincoln provides the following information on what to expect when you go in for your mammogram:
The technologist will complete a computerized, confidential questionnaire about your medical history and symptoms related to your breasts. They encourage you to learn more about breast care issues by using the resources available at their facility.
After being directed to your private dressing room, you will be given a gown to wear and be asked to undress to the waist. Once in the mammography room, the technologist will position your breast over the film. She will apply firm compression so that fewer x-rays are needed, the breasts do not move and normal breast tissue can be better differentiated from abnormal breast tissue. The compression lasts a few seconds. The exam is individualized for each patient and supervised by a board-certified radiologist. Some women may need additional views.
Your visit will last approximately 30 minutes, depending upon what studies are required and whether or not you will spend time using educational resources.
Within one week, you will receive a note in the mail indicating the radiologist has read your mammogram and if it is unchanged or normal. The only delay would be if they have to wait for an outside comparison. If any abnormalities are noted, a member of your healthcare team will call you within 48 hours. If your results are not normal, you will be called to schedule follow-up tests. Don’t be alarmed! Most irregularities turn out to be nothing to be concerned about.
If you do get a call back for additional testing, it is usually for diagnostic mammogram views and/or ultrasound. There is a charge for additional testing. If additional testing is recommended, it should be scheduled as soon as possible. It is not unusual to be asked to return in six months for a follow-up mammogram so the radiologist can confirm stability of the area.
To prepare for your breast evaluation, Women’s Clinic suggests the following:
–Avoid Caffeine. Some women’s breasts become more sensitive with the intake of caffeine. Therefore, avoid these for two weeks prior to your appointment if possible.
–Timing of Your Appointment. All premenopausal women have changes in their breasts (with or without tenderness) due to hormonal fluctuations. Schedule your appointment so that it is performed right after your menstrual period beings.
–Prior Mammograms. Have your previous mammograms sent to them for comparison at the time of your appointment. You may bring your prior mammogram films with you if you prefer. These films are very important.
–No perfumes, powders or deodorants on the day of the exam as they will interfere with the exam process.
The following is a true story provided by Southeast Nebraska Center:
Imagine yourself walking down the street and you see a woman, in her thirties, with her two children. They are smiling and laughing — full of life. That woman is Jen Barber, a loving mother, amazing friend, inspiring woman, and now cancer-free after visiting the Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center. Jen’s addicting, positive attitude and passion for life makes it nearly unbelievable that she battled cancer this past year.
In February 2010, Jen was diagnosed with 3A invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. Like many others, when Jen first heard the word cancer she immediately associated it with thoughts of death, despair, and the inability to go beyond. After her initial shock and disbelief, she took the next step to get the cancer removed. She underwent two surgeries, making sure the cancer was completely gone, along with chemotherapy and later radiation.
While Jen’s path in treating the cancer was a common one, her journey with the Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center (SNCC) was definitely unique. Jen admits that when first diagnosed with cancer, she was wrongly hesitant about the treatment offered in Nebraska. She had doubts that such a small community could offer the same quality of medical professionals and treatments as opposed to a larger city.
She also admits to doing extra research in the beginning and sought out second opinions. After learning of SNCC, a top leader in cancer care, she realized there was no need to continue with the second opinion search. Jen felt assured Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center was using the latest cutting edge technology for her treatment. Once she visited with Dr. Stacey Knox, she knew she had found the right place.
Jen recalls calling a friend in Aspen, Colorado, when first diagnosed, who was in the same situation but about two months ahead in treatments. Their chemo treatments were very similar, however Jen’s treatments were not hormonal based. It also became apparent that SNCC treated her with individualized care. They truly cared about her journey. Contrary to her initial thoughts, the treatments in Lincoln at Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center were actually more progressive than what her friend was experiencing in Denver.
After her first visit to SNCC, Jen remembers feeling confident and reassured — everything would be fine. They were already giving her the support and reassurance she needed most. Jen recalls the caring staff telling her hundreds of times, “This may not be something normal, but it’s normal for you. We’re going to work with that and we’re going to figure it out and you are going to be ok.”
A special relationship with the SNCC doctors was the most impactful part of Jen’s experience. She describes her primary doctor, Dr. Knox, as one of the most incredible people she has ever met. There was an instant connection. Dr. Knox was skilled in dealing with the emotional and traumatic feelings Jen was going through. She valued how Dr. Knox treated her like someone who was her age. “Anytime I had any wants, needs, desires, questions, she was right on top of it. I couldn’t have asked for a better caregiver”, Jen expressed of Dr. Knox.
Her radiation doctor, Dr. Bennett Barrios, also built a strong and caring bond with her as a patient. Jen always looked forward to his sense of humor and professionalism. On top of all the emotional support she received from the SNCC staff, Jen also appreciated their dedication to their patients. Anytime she called, they would immediately get back to her with the answers and support she needed. She came to understand why they were known as the facility with “leading cancer care”. They extended their care way beyond the medical treatment.
Today, Jen looks back on her battle with cancer as a small stumbling block. She wears a smile on her face and proudly says, “I am SO ready to take on the world. This year was going to be the year of leaps and bounds. There’s still a lot of things I haven’t done and a lot of things I’m going to do.” Thanks to the Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center, and her support system, Jen got her life back and feels better than ever. Most importantly, she continues as cancer-free.
Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center is located in Lincoln. The clinic began fourteen years ago with one physician, Dr. Cary Peterson, and the concept of a patient-friendly clinic. Dr. Mark Carlson joined the practice; adding his ideas of more services for patients and as they say, “the rest is history.” There are nine physicians on staff with over 135 combined years of experience.
Although breast cancer is common and can be deadly, the important thing to realize is that it is treatable. Practice good breast health, get the recommended tests, and follow up on any plan that your health care provider suggests.