What You Should Know About Breast Cancer Screenings?
The phrase “breast cancer” stops people in their tracks. It’s a scary phrase – but it doesn’t have to be. The more you know about cancer, how it starts, and what you can do about it, the less you’ll have to fear.
This year, The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 297,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women. Of those, 43,700 will die from breast cancer. Those stats may seem high, but a diagnosis is not an expiration date. Breast cancer is preventable and treatable!
What can be done to catch this ahead of time, understand the warning signs and possibly prevent it entirely?
Breast cancer screenings are a crucial part of a woman’s health care. These can include mammograms, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), clinical breast exams, and self-checks. Each test is used to check a woman’s breasts even before the appearance of signs or symptoms of any sort of cancer. Having these tests done regularly as part of your healthcare routine can give you and your doctors the time needed to fully understand and treat your condition.
Let’s discuss each breast cancer screening test.
Mammograms
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. This is currently the best method to find breast cancer. Mammograms help to find possible cancers early on at a time when the disease is easier to treat. It is important to have regular mammograms to lower the risks of dying from breast cancer.
Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A breast MRI uses magnets and radio waves to take images of the breasts. In most cases, a breast MRI is done in tandem with a mammogram to properly screen women at high risk of getting breast or any other cancers. This method is not used for women with average to low risk.
Clinical Breast Exam
A clinical breast exam is conducted by a doctor or nurse. This is done by using their hands to feel for lumps or other significant changes in the breasts. This should be done by a qualified healthcare provider during any regular check up appointment.
Breast Self Check
A simple (and free) way to check for breast cancer is by doing your own personal examination. You should be familiar with how your breasts look and feel. If one or both breasts has something that you’re concerned about – like a new lump, pain, or a change in size – you should be able to recognize any of these symptoms so you can take action.
Why Should You Get a Breast Cancer Screening?
Although none of these exams are treatments for breast cancer, nor do they prevent it, each one can help you to find it early – which means you and your health care providers will be able to more easily and effectively treat any possible breast cancers in the long run.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women who are between the ages of 50 and 74 and are at risk of breast cancer should get a mammogram screening every two years. Of all of the age groups, women within the age range of 60 to 69 years are most likely to avoid dying from breast cancer by having regular mammogram screenings. USPSTF also recommends that women between the ages of 40 to 49 should talk to a healthcare provider about the best time to start and how often they should get a mammogram screening.
Breast cancer can appear earlier than expected at times, especially if you have a family history of cancer or any other serious health conditions. It is best to get breast exams starting at young adult ages.
What are the Potential Risks of Breast Cancer Screening?
Sometimes doctors tend to lean on the side of being overcautious. They’re mainly trying to avoid any and all issues, and they take the necessary precautions to ensure their patients are receiving support and care. However, this means that healthcare bills can add up quickly with regular tests and treatments. This can also be invasive, time-consuming, and may increase stress.
Two other risks include overdiagnosis and overtreatment. These things happen when doctors find cancer, or something that resembles it, that probably wouldn’t cause breast cancer symptoms or further dangers.
Even though mammograms are the best method in finding breast cancer, it isn’t a perfect science. These tests may miss some cancers occasionally, which only pushes the recognition and treatment further down the line.
This is why it is so crucial to get routine checkups and breast cancer screenings and to use a variety of methods (as discussed above).
This will increase your chances of finding any existing abnormalities in breasts and other potential symptoms that could lead to breast cancer.
What are the 5 Stages of Breast Cancer?
There are five stages of Breast Cancer:
Stage 0:
Abnormal cells are present but have not spread to nearby tissue.
Stage I. Early Stage:
Cancer has spread to other tissues in a small area.
Stage II. Localized:
The tumor is between 20-50 mm, and some lymph nodes are involved, or a tumor larger than 50 mm with no lymph nodes is involved.
Stage III. Regional Spread:
The tumor is larger than 50mm, with more lymph nodes involved across a wider region. In some cases, there is no tumor present at all. Cancer may have spread to the skin or the chest wall.
Stage IV. Distant Spread:
Cancer has spread beyond the breast(s) to other parts of the body.
After reviewing the results of your breast cancer screening, your doctor will be able to share any potential diagnoses. If cancer exists in your breasts, you could fit within any of the stages – even stage IV.
Knowing what each stage is and what each means can help to keep you on top of your breast health. A qualified healthcare provider can tell you the difference between stage 0 vs. stage 1 breast cancer and other similar concerns. If you’re well-informed, your healthcare providers will be as well.
Preparing for a Breast Cancer Screening
Whether you’re about to get a mammogram, breast MRI or any other type of exam, you’ll want to be prepared beforehand. You can contact support staff prior to your screening to make sure you take the necessary steps before a mammogram appointment and bring essential items with you to the breast cancer screening center.
They’ll be able to answer questions like, “When should I get my first mammogram?” or “Can I use soap before a mammogram?” or “Do gynecologists do breast exams?”
They’re happy to help and can provide you with peace of mind, so you can go in feeling ready for your breast cancer screening and confident in their care.
Find the Nearest Breast Cancer Screening Center
If you would like to get a breast cancer screening, make an appointment with your GSP Health provider today. They’ll help you understand your breast health and will ensure you’re treated with the best care.
If you are not a current GSP Health patient, contact your closest location in Enid, Cherokee, Medford, or Canton to establish care.