October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month Published Oct. 3, 2007 By Major Lisa Davison 14th Medical Operations Squadron COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. -- October has been designated National Breast Cancer Awareness month and the 14th Medical Group would like to educate the BLAZE Team on breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer ranks second as the most common cancer in women. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in 2003 there were 181,646 women and 1,826 men who developed breast cancer. Currently breast cancer accounts for approximately one of every three new cancers diagnosed. Men are at a lower risk of developing breast cancer but should still be aware of the risks factors and symptoms. Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells specifically in the breast tissue grow out of control. Symptoms may or may not be present and can include the following: lump in the breast or underarm, thickening or swelling in part of the breast, irritation or dimpling of the breast skin, redness or flaky skin in the nipple or breast area, pulling in of the nipple, nipple discharge other than breast milk, a change in the size or shape of a breast and pain in the nipple or breast. Although these symptoms can occur with conditions that are not cancer, women with any of these signs should seek medical care as soon as possible. Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer. These include: older age, never giving birth or being older at the birth of your first child, never breastfeeding, younger age at start of menstrual cycle or older age at start of menopause, personal or family history of breast cancer, being overweight and/or not getting regular exercise, long-term use of hormone replacement therapy and drinking more than one alcoholic drink per day. Having any of these risk factors does not mean that you will develop breast cancer. However, it is important to discuss any risk factors you have with your provider and discuss ways to lower your risk. Breast cancer screening is important since cancer can be identified before any signs or symptoms appear. Treatment for breast cancer is more likely to work well when the disease is found in the early stage. There are three main tests used to screen for breast cancer: mammogram, clinical breast exam by a healthcare provider and self breast exam. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast and is recommended every one to two years for women 40 years and older. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, it is the best method to detect breast cancer early and has been found to lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you choose to have clinical breast exams or to perform breast self-exams, be sure you also get regular mammograms. The 14th Medical Group currently offers multiple services for breast cancer screening. A clinical breast exam is accomplished as part of a well-woman exam with a primary care manager or Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. The MDG also offers a self-request mammogram program. If it has been at least one year since the previous mammogram, contact the radiology department at 434-2211 to schedule a mammogram. Please join the 14th Medical Group to celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the month of October. The "Tree of Remembrance" will be in the front lobby during this month. Those wishing to can place a card on the tree in honor of a person that is a breast cancer survivor or place a card in memory of a person that lost the battle with breast cancer. Please use first names only to protect their privacy. There will also be educational handouts and other items displayed in the lobby.
