Ladies, it’s that time of the year again to get on board with breast health if you haven’t done so already! As an internal medicine specialist focusing on the care of women I’m especially vigilant about encouraging my patient to pay close attention to their breast health. I work closely with my colleagues who specialize in breast cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper when a concern arises for one of my patients.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cancer death following lung cancer. Given a life expectancy of 85 years, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime with two out of three cases occurring after age fifty. Risk factors are based on multiple issues including age, family history, obesity, high fat diet, increased alcohol intake, and a previous history of breast tumors or malignancy. Other risk factors include exposure to estrogen for which early menarche and late menopause can also increase risk. Women with a history of endometrial, ovarian or colon cancer are also at increased risk. Patients with a daughter, sister or mother diagnosed with breast cancer are also two to three times more likely to develop breast cancer.
We have located several genes which also increase risk, most notably BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. One out of every two hundred women is a carrier of these genes. While not every woman carrying these genes is certain to develop breast cancer, her lifetime risk of cancer development rises 56- to 85-percent. Genetic screening is not recommended for every patient, but your risk factors should be discussed with your doctor to determine if this is right for you.
There has been some recent controversy over breast cancer screening after the American Cancer Society released its new recommendations earlier this month. I spoke with Kristen Brill, MD, Director of the Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center at MD Anderson Cooper about this topic and she reinforced our current guidelines:
- MD Anderson Cooper continues to recommend that women at average risk for breast cancer obtain annual screening mammogram and clinical breast exam beginning at age 40 and continuing as long as she has a 10 year life expectancy.
- The ACS breast cancer screening recommendations affirm the importance of annual mammography screening beginning in the 40s and starting screening mammograms at age 40 is stated as an option. Annual mammographic screening yields a larger mortality reduction than does less frequent screening.
- The clinical breast exam will remain as part of practice. We feel strongly that the clinical encounter is critical to ensure breast cancer risk assessment and healthy lifestyle recommendations are conducted.
Some patients may also benefit from ultrasounds and MRI scans depending on their history. The decision for when to end breast cancer screenings is based on the overall health of the woman in discussion with her health care provider.
When breast cancer is diagnosed through early detection, there is an excellent survival rate with nine-out-of-ten women living past five years. So, be aware of your own breast health through self exams, regular health care visits, and, of course, screenings. If you cannot afford a mammogram, there are many programs willing to help. Together, we can beat this No. 1 cancer in women!
Cooper’s Breast Imaging Centers have been recognized nationally as centers of excellence by the American College of Radiology. Schedule your mammogram today at one of our three South Jersey locations by calling 1.888.499.8779. We offer evening and weekend hours for your convenience. Learn more at CooperHealth.org/BreastImaging.
MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper’s Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center is one of the region’s leading providers of innovative prevention, detection and treatment for breast cancer. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, at MD Anderson Cooper you will have access to a full range of cancer care including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, reconstructive/ plastic surgery, genetic counseling and testing, post-surgical rehabilitation and lymphedema prevention and treatment, as well as access to important clinical research trials. Behavioral medicine, complementary medicine therapies and other support services are also available to assist you and your family.
Learn more about your treatment options here. To make an appointment with one of our breast cancer specialists, please call 1.888.MDA.COOPER (1.855.632.2667).
