VERO BEACH — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; a time to educate yourself on one of the most common cancer diagnoses in women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2013 there will be approximately 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women, and 39,620 women will die from breast cancer. One of the best ways to defeat breast cancer is early detection, so it is important to remain educated on the early warning signs.
Signs and symptoms for breast cancer can appear in many different ways. One of the most common symptoms is a lump or thickening in the breast that feels different than the surrounding tissue. Other signs can include bloody discharge from the nipple, changes in size or shape of a breast, inverted nipples, peeling or flaking of the nipple, or redness or pitting of the skin over your breast. If you have seen any changes or found a lump in your breast and are concerned, you should schedule an appointment to talk with your doctor.
It is recommended to that you remain proactive with your health with regular screenings and self-examinations. Undergoing these processes can help with early detection. These screenings can include:
Breast self-examination – Breast self-examinations requires you to check your breast to detect any lumps or changes. You should do self-examinations the same day every month in order to remain consistent. Self-examinations are done by lying down on the floor or a bed, taking your three middle fingers and moving them in small coin-sized circles around your breasts. Applying light, medium, and hard pressure throughout the examination will help you check the various tissue levels of your breast.
Mammograms – A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast, and it is meant to check for tumors in the breast that might not be detected through self-examination. You should ask your doctor about what age you should begin getting mammograms, but many women, ages forty and older, get annual mammograms.
Men do make up a small population of the breast cancer cases in the United States. About 2,240 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States, and about 410 men will die from breast cancer each year. Although male breast cancer is more common in older men, like women, it can occur at any age. Because it is rare for men to develop breast cancer, early warning signs can often go unnoticed or ignored. It is important for men to understand that if they suspect they are at risk, they should seek the guidance of their doctor. Early detection is one of the best ways to beat breast cancer.
If you or someone you love is battling breast cancer and needs extra help at home to increase the quality of life, please visit http://www.vnatc.com or call 772-202-8570.
Sarah Mondano is the Vice President of Business Development and Sales for the VNA of the Treasure Coast and Nightingale Private Duty Nursing, Vero Beach-based non-profit organizations providing home healthcare, hospice care, homemaker services, companions, and transportation. To contact Sarah with your questions, feedback, or suggestions about healthcare topics you'd like to learn more about, please call 772-202-8570.