How Proper Breast Care Could Save Your Life
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the United States, approximately 240,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 42,000 women die from the disease each year. Breast cancer does not solely affect women, though it is much rarer in men. Approximately 2,100 cases of breast cancer in men are reported each year. While advancements in medicine have greatly improved breast cancer outcomes, proper breast health and early detection are the two most powerful tools to fight this disease.
What is Breast Cancer?
Normally, breast cells grow and divide in an orderly manner, replacing old cells with new ones as needed. But in breast cancer, abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor in the breast tissue. These tumors can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If left untreated, cancerous breast cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. This is known as metastasis and can make the cancer much more difficult to treat. However, when detected early, breast cancer is highly treatable, which means that maintaining breast health can save your life when done properly. Breast health encompasses a range of practices and habits aimed at maintaining the well-being of the breasts. This includes performing regular self-examinations, getting yearly mammograms, making healthy lifestyle choices and seeking medical attention for any abnormalities or concerns.
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Several risk factors increase the risk of developing breast cancer, including gender, age, family history, genetics, personal history and lifestyle factors. While you cannot change some factors such as getting older or having a family history of breast cancer, there are certain lifestyle choices that contribute to overall breast health. These include eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking.
Breast Self-Exams
Performing monthly breast self-exams is a simple yet crucial practice in detecting any changes or abnormalities in your breasts. By becoming familiar with the normal look and feel of your breasts, you can quickly identify any new lumps, changes in size or shape, skin changes or other abnormalities that may warrant further evaluation by a health care professional. These exams are typically performed monthly, ideally a few days after the end of menstruation when breasts are less likely to be tender or swollen. However, for postmenopausal women, choosing a specific day each month can help establish a routine. When conducting a self-exam, it is important to be aware of the following:
- New lump or mass in the breast or armpit
- Change in breast size or shape
- Swelling, redness or warmth
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Persistent pain or tenderness
- Nipple changes, such as inversion, discharge or scaling
If you notice any of these changes during a self-exam, it is important to follow up with your health care provider for further evaluation.
Mammograms
Mammograms, which are essentially X-ray images of the breast tissue, can identify abnormalities long before lumps can be detected by a physical examination. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mammograms have been known to detect breast cancer up to three years before it can be felt. The American Cancer Society recommends that women with an average risk of breast cancer begin annual mammograms at age 40. For women at higher risk due to factors such as family history or genetic predisposition, screening may start earlier and involve additional imaging techniques. Regular screenings enable health care providers to monitor changes in breast tissue over time, facilitating the prompt detection of any suspicious developments. It is important to remember that an abnormal mammogram does not always mean that there is cancer, but you will need to have additional mammograms, tests or exams before your doctor can tell for sure.
Lauren E. Barry, MD, a physician with Hattiesburg Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology, reiterates the need for yearly mammograms. “Mammograms are not just a medical procedure,” Dr. Barry said. “Regular screenings can yield life-saving results when it comes to breast cancer detection and treatment.”
Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Breast cancer treatment has made significant strides in recent decades, offering patients a range of options tailored to their specific needs. Treatment plans are based on the type of breast cancer and its stage. Whether the cancer is only in the breast, is found in lymph nodes under the arm or has spread outside the breast determines your stage of breast cancer. Depending on the specific diagnosis, a patient’s treatment plan may include one or more treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Francis Garner Bell, DO, a physician with Hattiesburg Clinic Hematology/Oncology, works with breast cancer patients to determine the best approach to treatment.
“Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming,” Dr. Bell said. “However, with the right treatment plan and the proper support, the outlook for breast cancer patients continues to improve.”
Breast Surgery
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, breast surgery may be recommended to remove the cancerous tissue. There are multiple types of breast surgery, and the type that is best for you will depend on several factors, including the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread. The two primary types of breast cancer surgery are lumpectomy and mastectomy. A lumpectomy is a procedure to remove cancerous tissue along with a small amount of surrounding tissue, known as the margin. This type of breast cancer surgery is used for women in the earliest stages of breast cancer, when cancer has not spread. A mastectomy is a procedure in which the entire breast containing cancer is removed. When both breasts are removed, the procedure is known as a double mastectomy. During breast cancer surgery, one or more nearby lymph nodes in the underarm—known as axillary lymph nodes—are often also removed. The lymph nodes are then tested to determine if breast cancer has spread and whether additional treatment may be needed.
In many cases, women choose to pair breast cancer surgery with breast reconstruction. This can often be done at the same time as breast cancer surgery, which is called immediate reconstruction, or at a later time, which is called delayed reconstruction. Richard A. Pecunia, MD, FACS, with Hattiesburg Clinic Plastic Surgery, performs breast reconstruction for patients who have undergone mastectomies.
“Breast cancer can have a profound emotional and physical impact on a person,” Dr. Pecunia said. “Breast reconstruction isn’t just about restoring physical form. It’s about rebuilding confidence and reaffirming strength after surgery.”
Why Choose Hattiesburg Clinic?
If you are at risk for or have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you can rely on the team at Hattiesburg Clinic. As the largest multi-specialty clinic in Mississippi, our patients have access to over 450 physicians, including expert gynecologists, breast care technicians, oncologists, surgeons and plastic surgeons, all in one clinic. With our coordinated approach to health care, you can rest assured that you are receiving the highest quality of care. For more information, please visit www.hattiesburgclinic.com.