EDUCATION
Breast cancer affects one in nine women. Mortality rates are down due to early screening and less drastic, minimally invasive treatment options. How can you protect yourself? Conduct yearly exams and self exams to start. But also knowing your risk factors, the symptoms of breast cancer, and your family history are key to early detection. As always, please contact HVSG if you have any questions or concerns about any changes to your physical health.
RISK FACTORS
A risk factor doesn't necessarily mean you will get breast cancer. Some patients may have several risk factors but never get the disease. If you have any of the following risk factors, talk to your doctor about self-examination and early screening:
- Exposure to estrogen (a history of birth control pill use or post-menopausal hormone replacement)
- Early onset of menstruation (younger than 12 years of age) and/or late menopause (older than 55 years of age)
- Having first child after age 35
- Genetic factors (BRCA 1 and BRCA 2), genes that can be identified through special blood tests
- Obesity
- A history of prior benign breast biopsies
SYMPTOMS
Often patients will not notice any symptoms before a breast cancer diagnosis. However the most common symptoms include:
- A breast lump or change in the tissue surround the breast
- A bloody discharge from the nipple
- Changes in breast or nipple appearance
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
- You find a breast lump that's new or unusual
- Lump, hard knot or thickening
- Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
- Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
- An existing breast lump seems to have changed (i.e., gets bigger)
- Change in the size or shape of the breast
- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
- New pain in one spot that does not go away