Good breast health begins with knowing your body, your family history and getting necessary screenings. In the U.S., breast cancer is the most common cancer disease in African American women, according to the American Cancer Society. Unfortunately, black women are diagnosed more often with advanced stages of breast cancer and more likely to succumb to the disease.
According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, some reasons for this may include the inability to get health care; not following-up after getting abnormal test results; distrust of the health care system; the belief that mammograms are not needed; or not having insurance.
Breast cancer usually starts in the lining of the milk ducts or glands when abnormal cells grow, divide and produce more cells that function abnormally. The abnormal cells form malignant (cancerous) tumors that can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious health problems or deaths.
Although we don’t how to prevent breast cancer, there are active steps to take to reduce the risk of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as keeping a healthy weight, eating a diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol consumption. If you do smoke, quit.
The risk for breast cancer does go up with age, but early breast cancer detection saves lives. There are things you can do to find breast cancer early, when more treatment options are available.
Good breast health for women as recommended by the American Cancer Society includes these steps:
• Clinical breast exams (by a health professional) for women in their 20s and 30s
• Breast self-exams is an option for women starting in their 20s
• Mammograms annually for women starting at age 40
“Mammograms, obviously are something we feel very important that women understand not only when to start getting mammograms, but also how frequently to get them,” said Dr. Mary Mason, a board-certified internist and attending physician at the Washington University School of Medicine clinic and chief medical officer at Centene Corporation. “Most experts agree on starting at age 40. Now the frequency … it depends on who you talk to but usually every one to two years is what most experts agree to. And it’s very important not to miss those appointments.”
A more individualized plan may be recommended for patients at higher risk for breast cancer.
“If you do have a history of breast cancer or if you have any family history of breast cancer or any type of breast symptom, that’s when you need to talk to your doctor, because you may need them to start those earlier,” Mason said.
Not all breast lumps are cancer.
“Fibrocystic disease is also something that is very common,” Mason explained. “It’s like a lumpiness. Over half of women have at least some type of … a little bit of the fibrocystic disease, and that’s something that is really concerning sometimes to women.
“It does not mean that you are more likely to get breast cancer, but what it does mean that it may be a little harder to detect with the mammograms. That’s why it’s also so important when you get a mammogram, to try to go to the same place or have your old films with you—‘cause that always helps the doctor too when they are reading your mammogram.”
Mason said cysts can also occur. They are fluid-filled bags in the breasts.
“So there are a lot of reasons that people can have a lump ? not necessarily breast cancer, but you never want to ignore that,” Mason said.
Not all breast lumps are cancer, but all breast lumps should be checked out.
Make sure you see a doctor right away if you notice changes to your breast, such as a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk.
“See your doctor every year for that routine visit. If you have any symptoms, breast tenderness, a lump or anything you are concerned about,” Mason reminds.
“Get into your doctor and don’t delay because you’re scared or you’re worried about what they are going to tell you.”
Put mammograms on your agenda, even if you are uninsured.
“If you don’t have health insurance or you are afraid your health insurance won’t cover a mammogram –there are many free programs in this community,” Mason said.
She suggests talking to the health department, a hospital or your doctor to find out where you can go to get a free or a reduced-price mammogram.
“It’s something that you don’t want to not get just because you think you can’t afford it.”
For more information from the American Cancer Society, go to http://tinyurl.com/ACSbreastcancer.
For more information about breast cancer in Missouri go to the Dept. Health and Senior Services Show Me Healthy Women site at http://tinyurl.com/breastcervicalcancer.
