Q's Health News

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer has touched the lives of many of us; whether you are a breast cancer survivor, in the midst of breast cancer treatment, or have a loved one who has been diagnosed. For women in the United States, breast cancer is the second most common cancer, with skin cancer being the first. However, breast cancer can occur in men as well, but it is rare.

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. Cancer occurs when there are abnormal changes in the genes that are responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. A tumor is formed when these cells continue to multiply without control or order. Tumors can be benign (which means NOT dangerous to health) or malignant (which has the potential to be dangerous to health).

Benign tumors are not cancerous; their cells appear close to normal, they grow slowly and do not spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are cancerous and can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body if not found soon enough.

Some symptoms of breast cancer include swelling of all or part of the breast, skin dimpling or irritation, breast pain, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or thickening of the skin of the breast, nipple discharge (other than breast milk), a lump on your breast, or a lump in the underarm area.

Anything out of the norm should be checked out. Changes to your breast tissue are NOT a normal part of aging! Any change should be checked by your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The sooner breast cancer is found the better.

There are risk factors that put a person at higher risk of developing breast cancer that are out of our control: such as increased age, being a woman, having a family history of breast cancer, and having a personal history of having breast cancer. However, there are lifestyle habits that can lessen your risk of developing breast cancer (or any cancer): eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, do not smoke, limit alcohol intake, and exercise regularly.

It is also important to monitor and check your breasts regularly. It is recommended to perform self-breast exams once a month to monitor for any lumps that may not be seen. Also, have your healthcare provider perform a clinical breast exam at your yearly wellness exam.

It is also recommended for women over 40 to have a yearly mammogram done to check the breasts for early signs of breast cancer. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast; and it’s not that bad. I had my first mammogram done the month after I turned 40. It’s uncomfortable, but doesn’t actually hurt. If a mammogram can find a problem early, then I think it’s worth the small amount of time I’m uncomfortable.

In Montana, you can set up your own screening mammogram without an order from your healthcare provider. For example, you can just call Fallon Medical Complex in Baker and speak with the radiology department to schedule a mammogram. If you don’t know how to schedule a mammogram in your area, call your primary healthcare provider and speak to the nurse or call your local Public Health Department. Montana does have an assistance program for cancer screening for those that meet the income requirements. Check out http://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/Cancer/CancerScreening for information on that program.

For more information on breast cancer go to http://www.breastcancer.org. If you haven’t had your mammogram done this year, call today to set one up!!

Thanks for joining me again this month! If you have questions or comments, you can find me at Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association or email me at rwilliams@dmhainc.com.