Breast Cancer Awareness - October 2023

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

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Breast Cancer Awareness

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Wednesday, October 11, 2023

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Breast Cancer Affects Thousands Every Year

By LISA LANDRAM Daily News-Record

Oct. is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each year in the United States, about 240,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Men also get breast cancer, although it is not very common. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.

Dr. Shannon Tierney, Breast Oncology Surgeon and Medical Director of the breast program at Augusta Health discusses preventative measures to help address the disease.

Some risk factors for breast cancer are outside of the person’s control, due to genetics and hormones, according to Tierney. However, there are lifestyle modifications that can lower the risk of breast cancer.

Obesity is a risk factor, and although not always entirely within a person’s control, an individual can work towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle, according to Tierney. This can be a protective factor because it can act as an anti-inflammatory.

In terms of diet, food high in saturated fat can be a risk factor. Eating The Breast Center is among the locations shown at Augusta Health. low-fat food, such as vegetables and fruits is recommended, according to recommend to patients … be aware of If any of these types of symptoms Tierney. Women should also ensure your breasts.” occur, it is recommended to see a prothey are eating the appropriate numThis includes any changes that have fessional and get a clinical breast ber of calories a day. occurred, particularly if changes per- exam, according to Tierney.

“One thing that many people ar- sist for more than a couple of weeks, Clinical breast exams are recomen’t aware of is that alcohol use is very according to Tierney. This could be any mended yearly, according to Tierney. strongly correlated to increased breast kind of lump, which could feel like a What that consists of varies among cancer risk, particularly for women pebble or rubber ball. women, based on age, history and curwho have more than moderate use, Another change to look out for is rent situation. which is considered to be one drink per the shape of the breast. “If you look During a breast exam, the doctor day on average,” said Tierney. “Women in the mirror and notice that you’ve will assess the breast for any conwhose alcohol intake is higher defi- developed a dent or a bulge, those are cerns, if none are noted then it may nitely have an increased risk for breast things that need to be addressed,” said be recommended to return in a year cancer.”

Tierney. for routine screening.

“In between clinical breast exams Other concerns to look out for are If there is a concern noted, then with your primary care doctor or your infections, swollen breasts, if one the next step depends on age, acgynecologist, we no longer recommend breast is shrinking or swelling more cording to Tierney. If a woman is 34 formal self-breast exams … mostly be- than the other, and/or a scaly rash on or younger, this usually means their cause we found that there wasn’t any the nipple, which does not respond to breast tissue is denser, so mammoimpact overall on outcomes,” said Tier- moisturizer or steroid creams and im- grams are not always helpful in this ney. prove within a couple of weeks, accord- situation. So, an ultrasound will Women would do self-exams and ing to Tierney. Also discharged from usually be given. If a woman is 35 or become concerned because their breast the nipple, particularly if it happens older, in those cases a mammogram tissue was lumpy, which some breasts on its own without any squeezing and/ will be completed. are by nature, according to Tierney. “I or if it is bloody.

After tests are completed, if there

Photo Contributed by Augusta Health

are any concerns noted, a needle biopsy will be taken, said Tierney.

One piece of advice that Tierney always tells her patients is to be aware and communicate what is going on with their breasts to their doctor. If there are concerns by the patient then different screening tools may be taken, according to Tierney.

Communication is key so nothing is missed.

In February Augusta Health opened their new facility for women, the Mary Louise Fisher Breast Center. The center uses a breast care model that combines the strength of clinical breast screening and diagnostic testing, genetic counseling and surgeon consultation to deliver convenient, collaborative, and timely evaluation and management of breast health, according to Augusta Health’s website.

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

What Distinguishes The Different Types Of Breast Cancer?

Metro Media

Individuals can experience a whirlwind of emotion upon being diagnosed with cancer. No one ever expects to receive such a diagnosis, so the moment a physician delivers such news can be emotional and compromise a personÕs ability to focus.

Once those emotions settle down and individuals resolve to overcome the disease, they typically have a lot of questions.

One of the questions doctors will attempt to answer is which subtype of cancer a person has. For example, when doctors initially deliver a breast cancer diagnosis, they may explain that further testing will be necessary to determine precisely which type of breast cancer an individual has. Identifying the subtype of breast cancer helps doctors choose the most effective course of treatment, but itÕs understandable if patients and their families become confused during the process. The following rundown can help breast cancer patients understand this crucial next step after diagnosis.

How is breast cancer type determined?

The American Cancer Society notes that breast cancer type is determined by the specific cells in the breast that become cancer. The Mayo Clinic reports that a medical team will use a tissue sample from a patientÕs breast biopsy or, for patients who have already undergone surgery, the tumor to identify the cancer type.

What are the types of breast cancer I might be diagnosed with?

There are many types of breast cancer, but some are more common

Contributed Photo By Metro Media

than others. Invasive and non-invasive (also referred to as Òcarcinoma in situÓ) are the two main subtypes of breast cancer.

According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the most common types of invasive breast cancer are invasive ductal carcinoma, which affects the inner lining of the milk ducts, and invasive lobular carcinoma, which originates from the glands that produce milk.

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Wednesday, October 11, 2023

What You Need To Know About Breast Lumps Metro Media

Contributed Photo By Metro Media

Breast cancer is a cause for concern for millions of women. Each year about 264,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Canadian Cancer Society indicates around 28,600 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Globally, data from the World Health Organization indicates roughly 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020.

One of the more notable symptoms of breast cancer is the presence of a lump in the breast. Though not all lumps are malignant, it’s important that women learn about breast anatomy and lumps as part of their preventive health care routines.

Mount Sinai says that breast lumps can occur at any age in both men and women. Hormonal changes can cause breast enlargement and lumps during puberty, and boys and girls may even be born with lumps from the estrogen received from their mothers.

It is important to note that the vast majority of breast lumps are benign. The National Institutes of Health says 60 to 80 percent of all breast lumps are non-cancerous.

The most common causes of breast lumps are fibroadenomas and fibrocystic changes. Fibroademomas are small, smooth, moveable, painless round lumps that usually affect

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women who are at an age to have children, indicates the Merck Manual. They are non-cancerous and feel rubbery.

Fibrocystic changes are painful, lumpy breasts. This benign condition does not increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Symptoms often are worse right before one’s menstrual period, and then improve after the period begins.

Additional factors can contribute to the formation of lumps. Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs that likely go away on their own or may be aspirated to relieve pain. Complex cysts may need to be removed surgically. Sometimes cysts also may form in milk ducts throughout the breasts.

Lumps also may be the result of injury. Blood can collect under the skin and form a type of lump called a hematoma. Other lumps may be traced to lipomas, which is a collection of fatty tissue or breast abscesses, which typically occur if a person is breastfeeding or has recently given birth.

Additional causes of lumps can be discussed with a doctor. Though the majority of lumps are not a cause for concern, it is important for people to regularly feel their breasts to check for abnormalities. Doctors may recommend annual mammograms to women age 40 and older. In its earliest stages, breast cancer may produce little to no visible symptoms, but a mammogram may be able to catch something early on.

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Wednesday, October 11, 2023

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Healthy Habits That Could Reduce Breast Cancer Risks Metro Media

Cancer is a formidable disease that the World Health Organization reports is the leading cause of death worldwide. Figures vary, but organizations such as the WHO and the American Cancer Society estimate that around 9.5 million people die from cancer every year.

No type of cancer causes more deaths in women across the globe than breast cancer. Though the five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients has increased by a significant margin in recent decades, a 2019 study published in The Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention reported a significant increase in breast cancer mortality rate in the 25-year period preceding the study. The researchers behind the study theorized that the spike in mortality rate could be due to an increase in incidence and prevalence of breast cancer.

Like all cancers, breast cancer cannot be prevented. However, various healthy habits could help women reduce their risk for the disease.

- Avoid alcohol. The ACS reports that alcohol consumption is a clear risk factor for breast cancer. Risk increases with the amount of alcohol a woman consumes. For example, a woman who consumes one alcoholic drink per day has a 7 to 10 percent higher risk of getting breast cancer than a woman who abstains from alcohol. Drinking two to three drinks per day could increase risk by around 20 percent.

- Establish and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases breast cancer risk, particularly among postmenopausal women. According to the ACS, after menopause

Contributed Photo By Metro Media

women get most of their estrogen from fat tissue. Fat tissue increases estrogen levels in the body, which in turn increases a womanÕs risk for breast cancer. Elevated levels of insulin in the body, which is common among individuals who are overweight, also has been linked to higher breast cancer risk. Establishing and maintaining a healthy weight cannot prevent breast cancer, but it can help women reduce their risk for the disease.

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize all of those impacted by breast cancer: the Survivors, the Fighters, the Caregivers and the Family Members.

See HABITS, Page 6

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Groups At Elevated Risk For Breast Cancer Metro Media

The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 exceeded two million. That figure, courtesy of the World Health Organization, underscores the significance of the threat posed by the disease.

Though no one is immune to breast cancer, researchers have concluded that certain groups have a higher risk of developing the disease than others.

According to the WHO, the following are some groups who are at elevated risk of developing breast cancer.

- Women: Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that less than 1 percent of

all breast cancer cases occur in men.

Though it’s still important for men to recognize they’re not immune to the disease, women must also recognize that nearly all of the more than two million annual breast cancer diagnoses across the globe are found in women.

- Women 50 and older: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older. A report from the National Cancer Institute indicates that a 30-yearold woman has a 1 in 204 chance (0.49 percent) of being diagnosed with breast cancer, while a 40-year-old has a 1 in 65 chance (1.55 percent) of being diag-

nosed. By the time women reach age 60, their risk is 1 in 28 (3.54 percent), while a 70-year-old has a 1 in 24 chance (4.09 percent) of being diagnosed. Though women of any age can get the disease, the risk clearly increases as women get older.

- Women who meet the criteria for being overweight or obese: The nonprofit organization Susan G. Komen¨, which helps to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer, notes that women who are overweight or obese after menopause have a 20 to 60 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who are not overweight or obese. The American Cancer Soci-

ety reports that having more fat tissue increases breast cancer risk because it raises estrogen levels. However, the ACS notes the link between weight and breast cancer risk is complicated, so it’s worth it for women concerned about their cancer risk to open a dialogue with their physicians.

- Women who consume alcohol: The MD Anderson Cancer Center reports that alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk are linked. Though the precise cause of the link is unknown, one theory suggests that consuming alcohol can increase estrogen levels as well as the levels of other hormones associated with breast cancer.

Types

cer can be difficult to treat.

Less common types of breast cancer, each of which account for between 1 and 3 percent of diagnoses in a given year, include Paget disease of the breast, angiosarcoma and phyllodes tumor.

A breast cancer diagnosis marks the beginning of a sometimes lengthy but often successful journey that has ended in full recovery for millions of women across the globe. More information about the various types of breast cancer can be found at cancer.org.

FROM PAGE 3

The UPMC reports that the most common in situ types are ductal carcinoma in situ, which is cancer that remains within the milk ducts, and lobular carcinoma in situ, which does not often develop into breast cancer though it is considered a risk factor for an invasive form of the disease.

The ACS notes that triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer that accounts for roughly 15 percent of all breast cancers. Triple-negative breast can-

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Habits

FROM PAGE 5

- Maintain a physically active lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle increases a personÕs risk for various conditions and diseases. Women who live such a lifestyle are at elevated risk for breast cancer. The ACS notes that sedentary

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behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching television, or engaging with screen-based forms of entertainment that do not require physical activity can increase breast cancer risk, especially for women who spend most of their work day sitting down. A more physically active lifestyle that includes routine exercise can help women reduce their breast cancer risk.

- Adopt a nutritious diet. Eating right is another way for women to reduce their breast cancer risk. Vegetables, fiber-rich legumes such as beans and peas, fruits across the color spectrum, and whole grains are some components of a healthy, nutrient-rich diet that can help lower breast cancer risk. Women also can avoid certain foods, such as red and processed meats and refined grains, to lower their breast cancer risk.

Though thereÕs no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, women can embrace various healthy habits to lower their risk for the disease.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Cancer

FROM PAGE 2

A lot of women experience fear during screenings, according to Tierney. There can be concerns that tests are uncomfortable or painful. Or that the doctor will find cancer. It can be a challenge for women.

Augusta Health created a facility that hopefully addresses some of those concerns. The center is comforting and welcoming. It has a “spa-like atmosphere,” said Tierney.

The new facility is relaxing, it has cucumber water and chocolate, heated robes and a patient is going to feel taken care of during the process, said Tierney. In my “personal opinion, we have knocked it out of the park.”

After examination, women may need imaging. This can be an anxiety-provoking and stressful process as a woman needs to find the location,

while they are thinking about all the things that could be wrong.

The women’s imaging is right next to the clinic at Augusta Health. If a patient needs to be soon right away or has a question, then Dr. Tierney is one hall over. “[Augusta Health] is so supportive and the outreach that they do with the mobile clinic has just been truly phenomenal,” said Tierney.

There is a sponsored screening event, a week from this Saturday, according to Tierney. “We’re going to offer low-cost mammograms for uninsured and underinsured people. I’ll be present at breast exams for anyone who comes in with anything they’re concerned about.”

Contact Lisa Landram at 540-5746299 or llandram@dnronline.com.

Follow Lisa on Twitter @LisaLandram.

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Wednesday, October 11, 2023

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Wednesday, October 11, 2023

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

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