12 minute read
Wellness
Breast Cancer Screening Options for All Women
By Sanford Health
Jamie Williams, MD, sometimes has patients react with shock at their breast cancer diagnosis. They tell the breast radiologist that breast cancer doesn’t run in their family, so how can they have it?
“That’s a myth we fight against,” Dr. Williams said. “Many women who get diagnosed with breast cancer don’t have a strong family history.”
One in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s what makes regular screenings vital for all women.
Breast cancer screening options
Mammograms are the most common type of screening. Women at average risk for breast cancer should have yearly mammograms starting at age 40. Those identified as at an elevated risk for breast cancer should discuss a personalized breast imaging plan with their provider.
Breast MRIs are the most sensitive option. This screening is only recommended for women at an elevated risk for breast cancer due to high costs and limited capacity.
Whole breast ultrasounds are an option for women with dense breast tissue as a supplement to their yearly mammograms.
Mobile mammography units bring 3D mammograms to women in rural areas.
“Our Edith Sanford 3D mobile mammography units that travel to rural communities have the same technology and equipment we have in our Sioux Falls breast center, so patients do not need to drive far to get the screening
they need,” said Dr. Williams.
Genetic testing for breast cancer
Larissa Risty, CGC, is a certified genetic counselor. She helps women determine their breast cancer risk.
Risty works with patients at Sanford Health who have a personal or family history of cancer. She uses evaluations and testing to help them understand what that history means for them and their family.
Only 5 to 10% of breast cancer is hereditary. A higher portion of cancer is familial, meaning the cancer in a family isn’t linked to a single gene but there are more cases of cancer in that family than expected.
Genetic testing can help identify which category a cancer case falls into. This helps family members choose the right breast cancer screening and risk reduction options for them.
“The best candidate for genetic testing is a woman with a personal history of breast cancer. Those test results will impact testing recommendations for all her family members,” said Risty.
Determining personal risk
A breast cancer risk assessment models a woman’s personal risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. It combines several factors – her breast history, hormone history, family history and more – into one risk estimate.
The average woman has a 13% lifetime risk to develop breast cancer. Women who are calculated at 20% or above are considered at an elevated risk. These women have the option to get increased screenings with mammograms and breast MRIs alternating every six months.
“When patients are concerned about cancer, it can be so helpful to put their risk into perspective with a number. Then we can develop a personalized screening plan for them,” Risty said. “That’s the most rewarding part of my work. The service and peace of mind that I can provide to patients.”
Getting screened
Women interested in getting a breast cancer screening should make an appointment through My Sanford Chart or by calling the Edith Sanford Breast Center at (605) 312-3455.
Those interested in breast cancer risk assessments should talk to their primary care provider to receive a referral to the Edith Sanford Breast Specialty Clinic.
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RAISING THE VOICES OF WOMEN VETERANS IN SOUTH DAKOTA
Sioux Falls DAV Arthur H. Muchow Chapter No.1 Helps Women Veterans Get the Recognition and Benefits They’ve Earned
Reprinted in part from DAV National
Women comprise almost 20 percent of the active-duty armed forces, Reserve and National Guard, and 10 percent of the total veteran population. But the population of women in these communities is growing more rapidly than the systems we have in place to support them. This has created an environment in which—whether intentional or not—women’s service to the nation is often less recognized, less respected, and less valued than their male counterparts.
To combat this inequity for women veterans in the Sioux Falls area, the DAV Arthur H. Muchow Chapter No. 1 is committed to creating events and opportunities for women veterans. One such event, Stand Up for Women Veterans Wellness Retreat was aimed at connecting women with multiple services and networking opportunities.
Army veteran and DAV Arthur H. Muchow Chapter No. 1 member Jill Baker was one of the driving forces behind the event “We thought, what’s the best way we can reach women veterans and those currently serving and bring them all together, make it as easy as possible, reduce barriers so they can just come enjoy that camaraderie that we feel together?”
They dug in, partnering with a local daycare, school, and volunteer groups to offer free child care and parent-child activities as well as food, snacks, and children’s activities. Then they brought in experts from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the local Vet Center, and the Veterans Business Outreach Center to lead wellness classes such as art and writing therapy, yoga, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, keynote speaker Laurie Walsh, a local Marine veteran, and news personality, spoke about the importance of women veterans and their stories, and a host of exhibitors were on hand to discuss free resources available for attendees and their families.
Event attendee Tamara Panning, who served in the Army National Guard, said, “I’m busy with my own family life and working, but I got to meet some other women veterans today,” she added. “In fact, in talking to a group of ladies, we discovered we probably did cross paths 30 years ago in the military, so it was good to have a chance to connect.”
Other attendees, spanning multiple generations of service, connected with more than just resources and each other; for many, it was the first introduction to DAV Benefit Advocate Owen Richards, from the service office in Sioux Falls, who was on hand.
“This event led a number of veterans to contact Owen after the fact, discuss and file brand new claims,” said National Service Director Jim Marszalek. “These kinds of events, especially where veterans feel welcome and safe, can be the turning point where they finally become ready to talk about what happened in service.”
For more information on how to join the Sioux Falls DAV Arthur H. Muchow Chapter No. 1 organization contact admin@davsd.org or stop in the office at 1519 W 51st St in Sioux Falls.
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HEAD AND NECK SURGEON PROVIDES EXPERT CARE
Sundeep Alapati, DO, is a new head and neck surgeon at Sanford Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in Sioux Falls who believes in person-centered care that tailors treatment to the individual.
Dr. Alapati takes a scientific approach when it comes to head and neck cancer care by focusing on each patient’s needs and circumstances. “Each disease is unique to that person. I make every effort to treat each person as an individual,” said Dr. Alapati. In addition to working with patients who have cancer, Dr. Alapati also treats people who have thyroid conditions. This includes providing minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery.
he stated. “You really get to think about the quality of life and avoiding surgery and overtreatment. Patients who would have had a major surgery 20 years ago, we’re not doing those anymore. We’re focused on avoiding procedures that could be potentially debilitating.” In addition to his work with thyroid conditions, Dr. Alapati also helps patients who experience sleep apnea. Dr. Alapati brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to his role. His experiences include: •A fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in
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Dr. Alapati finds it beneficial to be on the same cultural level as his patients, focusing on what’s going on with them and how they’ll handle treatment.
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To learn more about Dr. Alapati and our ear, nose and throat services, visit sanfordhealth.org.
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THE #1 WAY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INFECTIONS
Project Firstline – Providing infection control strategies for healthcare workers and the general public
By Virginia Olson
International Infection Prevention Week is Oct 16 – 22, and one program that is leading the way in better infection control training for South Dakota’s healthcare workers is Project Firstline (PFL). PFL is a CDC-led training collaborative whose goal is to improve infection prevention in healthcare. The South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care leads the project in partnership with the South Dakota Department of Health and the CDC; PFL has become the vehicle to get necessary information into the right hands. Jess Danko, PFL’s program manager, is pleased not only with how the program is delivering engaging infection prevention training and education to the frontline public health workforce, but also with how it has expanded its reach. Hospitals and clinics, emergency medical services, long-term care, corrections, academics, tribal lands and state and local health departments have the PFL information available to them. “We want the general public to know PFL aims to reach not only health care workers, we want to get information into other settings that need knowledge of infection control principles,” she says. “Our goal is to have the best practices available for everyone to use.”
Jess suggests the following tips to help prevent viruses – everyday steps everyone can use:
• Wash your hands often – for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Hand hygiene is still the most important thing you can do to stay healthy and protect yourself and your family • Stay home when sick • Cover your cough • Disinfect commonly touched surfaces: doorknobs, computers, cell phones • Get the recommended immunizations
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