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IMPORTANT ANSWERS
ABOUT BREAST CANCER
WHEN IT COMES TO BREAST CANCER,
you
can’t be too curious. As a woman, the more you know
about breast cancer—and especially how to detect it—the
more you might be able to protect yourself from this all-
too-common disease.
With this is in mind, here are potentially lifesaving
answers to four key questions about this cancer:
{
What are the warning signs of breast cancer?
}
e most common symptom is a new lump in your
breast. O en, cancerous lumps feel di erent than non-
cancerous ones. Lumps that are painless, hard, oddly
shaped and feel as though they are rmly attached within
the breast are more likely to be cancerous. But breast can-
cers can also be tender, so , smooth, round andmoveable.
ey might even be painful.
So don’t take chances. Alert your doctor if you notice any
new lump or mass. Also tell him or her if you have any of
these other possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer:
Swelling of all or part of a breast, even if you can’t feel
a distinct lump.
Dimpling or puckering in the breast skin.
Redness, scaliness or thickening of a nipple or breast
skin.
A nipple turned inward.
Breast or nipple pain.
Nipple discharge (other than breast milk), especially
if it’s bloody.
Keep in mind too that breast cancer sometimes spreads
to lymph nodes under the arm or around the collarbone—
even before the original tumor in a breast is large enough
to be felt. is means you should also tell your doctor
about any lumps or swelling in these areas.
{
How often should I have a mammogram?
}
Most women should have a mammogram, or breast
x-ray, every year starting at age 40. Regular mammo-
grams are a must because they can nd tumors that are
still so tiny that not even the most experienced doctor can
feel them. And detecting breast cancer at an early stage
increases the chances that it can be treated successfully.
However, if you have an above-average risk for breast
cancer—for instance, if you have a family history of the
disease—you may need to start getting mammograms
before age . You might also need more frequent mam-
mograms than is typically advised. Talk to your doctor
about a screening schedule that is best for you.
Be aware too that growing older is never a reason to
stop having regular mammograms. You should continue
scheduling them for as long as you are in good health.
Finally, it is important to remember that as benefi-
cial as mammograms are, they are not foolproof. Oc-
casionally they do miss tumors, which is why women
also need regular clinical breast exams by a health
professional.
{
How often should I have a clinical breast exam?
}
Get one every three years if you’re in your 20s or
30s. Starting in your 40s, you should have one every year.
{
Does Perry County Memorial Hospital (PCMH)
have a breast care specialist on staff?
}
Yes. eresa Cavins, MD, surgeon and breast care
specialist with Metis Breast Care, sees patients on the
PCMH campus. She is dedicated to the prevention, di-
agnosis and treatment of benign and malignant breast
disease. Her clinic is located in the o ce of Perryville
Surgical Clinic at 212 Hospital Lane, Suite 202,
Perryville. For appointments, call
883-4441
.
Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute
To schedule a mammogram,
give us a call at 547-4288. Or
visit www.pchmo.org to learn
more about our services.
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