Early breast cancer detection saves lives

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Meritus physician is offering some advice on how to reduce the risk of getting the disease and how to check for it.

Ann-Marie Hugh, M.D., FACS, with the Meritus Center for Breast Health said there are some standard practices women can do to stave off developing breast cancer and preventing death from it.

“While evidence-based guidelines suggest that breast self-examinations do not reduce breast cancer deaths, it is still important for women to have awareness of how their breasts look and feel and to report any changes from their normal to their providers,” she said.

COVID’s impact on mammograms

It is also important for women to get regular mammograms. Many women stopped having their mammograms during the COVID pandemic because of the lockdown, and there are still some women who have not yet resumed having their mammograms, she said.

“Screening mammography is often able to catch breast cancer at a stage where it will not threaten one's life,” she said. “It is important to get back to doing screening mammograms. There are even some women in our community who have never had a mammogram. Most breast cancers are curable but only if it is detected early.”

Dr. Hugh said she wanted to stress that many women don’t realize they could be at a higher risk for breast cancer.

The published mammography screening guidelines are for women at average risk to develop breast cancer. That includes women who don’t have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, or a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, and who has not had chest radiation therapy before the age of 20.

Dr. Hugh suggests talking to your doctor to best understand what category you fall into.

What can you do to reduce your risk of breast cancer?

Meanwhile, she has some suggestions regarding breast health and breast cancer prevention:

• Regular physical activity reduces breast cancer risk.
• Decrease or avoid alcohol intake as alcohol increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
• Strive to attain and maintain a healthy body weight.
• If you are aware of a genetic mutation in the family, get tested. There are strategies to screen women with high risk to develop breast cancer as well as to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
• It is important to know your family history and talk to your doctor about it. In particular, talk to your doctor about your family history of breast and ovarian cancer. These cancers in the family may be an indication to get genetic testing.
• If you feel a lump in the breast have your doctor evaluate the mass. Do not assume it is a cyst and forget about it.
• Men can get breast cancer. In particular, if a man feels a lump in his breast, it is important to have it evaluated by a doctor.

To learn more about the Meritus Center for Breast Health, go to www.meritushealth.com/breasthealth.

Colors of Cancer

For those diagnosed with breast cancer, the journey can be a struggle.

Along the way, many unexpected needs can arise. Being able to cover these expenses allows patients and their families to focus on their health.

By supporting the Colors of Cancer, it will ensure Meritus patients have reliable transportation to and from appointments and financial assistance for medication, and it will ease the additional financial stress that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Learn more at www.meritushealth.com/colors.