October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A breast self-exam (BSE) is a step-bystep approach an individual can use to look at and feel their breasts to check for anything abnormal. In the past it had been recommended that a woman conduct a BSE monthly but this is no longer recommended, as studies have shown BSEs don’t offer any difference in breast cancer survival. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, every two minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The 2017 Cancer in Iowa Report showed that breast cancer is the most common cancer in Iowa women, and accounts for 25 percent of all new cancers diagnosed in Iowa women every year. Studies by the CDC show that black women and white women get breast cancer at about the same rate, but black women die at a significantly higher rate than white women - 40% higher. The higher rate of death is attributed to data indicating that breast cancer is found at an earlier stage among white women than among black women. Early detection is key to reducing racial disparities in breast cancer. A breast self-exam (BSE) is a step-by-step approach an individual can use to look at and feel their breasts to check for anything abnormal. In the past it had been recommended that a woman conduct a BSE monthly but this is no longer recommended, as studies have shown BSEs don’t offer any difference in breast cancer survival. Although a monthly BSE is no longer recommended, it’s important to always have breast awareness. You should become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel so you can notice a change. Consult with your women’s health provider right away if you notice any changes in either breast including: • Lump, hard knot, or thickening inside the breast or underarm area • Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening • Change in size or shape • Dimpling or puckering of the skin • Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple • Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast • Nipple discharge that starts suddenly • Pain in one spot that does not go away Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer, and there is no such thing as a “normal breast”. What is normal for you may not be normal for someone else. The way your breasts look and feel can be affected by getting your period, having children, losing or gaining weight, and taking certain medications. Breasts also tend to change as you age. This is why consistent and ongoing breast awareness is important. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Broadlawns Medical Center utilizes the most state of-the art screening and diagnostic tools available for early detection of breast cancer. Recommendations are that women who are 40 to 70 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every year. Most health insurance plans are required to cover mammograms with no out-of-pocket cost.
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