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National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in women today.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 217,440 new cases of breast cancer will develop in 2004. There will be approximately 40,580 lives lost to breast cancer. Numerous studies have shown that early detection saves lives
and increases treatment options.

Breast Cancer: Early Detection
The goal of screening examinations for early breast cancer detection is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms. Screening refers to tests and examinations used to detect a disease, such as cancer in people who do not have any symptoms. Early detection means applying a strategy that results in an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer that otherwise might not have occurred. Breast cancers that are detected because they are causing symptoms tend to be relatively larger and are more likely to have spread beyond the breast. In contrast, breast cancers found during screening examinations are more likely to be small and still confined to the breast.

American Cancer Society Recommendations for Early Breast Cancer Detection
Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year, and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.
Evidence supporting mammograms is even stronger than in the past. In particular, recent evidence has confirmed that mammograms offer substantial benefit for women in their 40s. However, mammography also has its limitations; it will miss some cancers, and it sometimes leads to follow up of findings that are not cancer, including biopsies. Mammograms should be continued regardless of a woman’s age, as long as she does not have serious, chronic health problems.

Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination (CBE) as part of a periodic health exam by a health professional preferably every 3 years. At age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.
CBE is a complement to mammograms and an opportunity for women and their doctor or nurse to discuss changes in their breasts, early detection testing, and factors in the woman’s history that might make her more likely to have breast cancer.

Women should report any breast changes to their health professional right away. Breast self-examination (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
Research has shown that BSE plays a small role in finding breast cancer compared with finding a breast lump by chance or simply being aware of what is normal for each woman. Doing BSE regularly is one way for women to know how their breasts normally feel and to notice any changes.

To schedule an appointment with your Naval Hospital Beaufort Primary Care Manager, please call Central Appointments at 228-5175/5198.

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