DR SUGAR 's Medical Inspiration: Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Screening: Mammography and Clinical Examination

HELLO I AM DR. SUGAR, YOUR INTERNET DOCTOR, HERE TO GIVE YOU YOUR DOES OF MEDICAL INPIRATION FOR THE DAY. OUR TOPIC IS BREAST CANCER SCREENING SO LETS GET STARTED SHALL WE -

Cancer can be a scary thing and breast cancer can be one of the most frightening. While it sometimes occurs in men, American women get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer except skin cancer. Even more frightening is that breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women behind cancer of the lung. These facts come from the National Cancer Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health. They estimate that in 2008 there will be over 180,000 new cases of breast cancer in the U.S. and over 40,000 women will die from the disease.

Over the past 30 years, the number of cases of breast cancer has been increasing yet for the past few years the number of breast cancer deaths has been decreasing. Why? Well, one reason is that women are becoming more aware of breast health. More women are getting breast screenings and more diagnoses are being made in earlier stages of the disease. In many cases, the sooner a diagnosis of breast cancer is made, the better the chance of effective treatment.

Even though women and their physicians are doing a better job at detecting breast cancer, with 40,000 projected deaths from the disease in 2008 alone, we can certainly do better. In order to reduce this number even further, every woman needs to know some basic and potentially lifesaving information about breast health.

First, it is important to know the different types of screening exams. Breast screenings can be done by hand (by a physician or trained healthcare provider) or by a machine, such as the one used during a mammogram. There are benefits and limitations to both of these methods. A physician has the advantage of being able to visually inspect the breast as well as feel for irregularities. She can also check for nipple discharge or see changes on the surface of the nipple or breast skin. A mammogram, on the other hand, uses X-rays to detect masses within the breast. Cancerous areas often appear different than healthy tissue on a mammogram film and certain diagnoses can be made by this technique that a doctor may not be able to make manually.

Regardless of the type of exam, the goal of breast screening is to identify breast abnormalities. Whether done by a person or a machine, it is critical that they are done routinely and OFTEN enough to insure that a small problem is detected before it becomes a big problem.

I am Dr. Sugar and I want to invite you to join me for part 2 of our series on breast cancer screening. In part 2, I will discuss the recommendations for screening and explain these different screening tests such as mammogram and breast exams.

Giving You Your Dose of Medical Inspiration,
Dr. Sugar

To your Total Wellness

Resources:
National Cancer Institute,
National Institutes of Health,
American Cancer Society,
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

The information contained in this blog is not medical advice.
Please consult your medical doctor before making any decisions
or taking any actions on your health or the health of your family.

Breast Cancer Screening: Mammography and Clinical Examination: Part II
HELLO I AM DR. SUGAR, YOUR INTERNET DOCTOR, here to continue our blog on breast cancer screening. I will discuss the current recommendations for screening and I will explain the different screening tests. So if you are ready, let’s get started with a dose of MEDICAL INSPIRATION.

Several major health organizations including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® have published consensus guidelines regarding various breast screening methods. While there is some controversy among the breast cancer experts as to when and how often these screenings should be performed, these groups do agree that healthy women should begin yearly mammogram screenings starting at age 40. If you have certain risk factors, your doctor may recommend that testing begin earlier than age 40 or occur more frequently than once a year.

Why do major health organizations recommend a mammogram every year starting at age 40? Well, there are a few reasons. The first reason is that the risk of developing breast cancer increases dramatically once women reach 40. The National Cancer Institute cites the risk of developing breast cancer in women ages 30 to 39 is 1 in 233.

The risk from ages 40 to 49 rises sharply to 1 in 69 and continues to increase over the next two decades of life. In addition, many studies show that mammography is useful for diagnosis in women over the age of 40 but much less so in women under 40. Why might that be? It is due, at least in part, to the fact that breast tissue in women under age 40 is generally too dense and abnormalities are difficult to recognize because this dense normal breast tissue obstructs the view. Therefore in women under 40, clinical breast examination is considered the primary technique for cancer detection.

Both the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommend that women between the ages of 20 and 39 receive a clinical breast examination at least every three years. A clinical breast examination is one that is performed by a physician trained in the technique such as a gynecologist or family practice physician. These health organizations also recommend that once women turn 40, they should get a clinical breast exam every year; this clinical breast exam is in addition to yearly mammogram screenings.

I am Doctor Sugar and I want to invite you to join me for part 3 of our series on breast cancer screening. In part 3, I will discuss the recommendations for breast self-exam and discuss some of the current controversy.

Giving You Your Dose of MEDICAL INSPIRATION,
Dr. Sugar
TO YOUR TOTAL WELLNESS!!

Resources:
National Cancer Institute,
National Institutes of Health,
American Cancer Society,
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

The information contained in this blog is not medical advice.
Please consult your medical doctor before making any decisions
or taking any actions on your health or the health of your family.

Breast Cancer Screening: Mammography and Clinical Examination: Part III HELLO I AM DR. SUGAR, YOUR INTERNET DOCTOR, here to continue our blog on breast cancer screening. I will discuss the current recommendations for breast self-exam and explain why there is some controversy surrounding this exam. So if you are ready, let’s get started with a dose of MEDICAL INSPIRATION.

The most controversial of the three screening techniques is breast self-examination. The American Cancer Society recommends that women, beginning in their 20’s should review the benefits and limitations of breast self-exam with their health care provider and that “the choice to perform breast self-exam is up to the individual.” Susan G. Komen for the Cure® simply states that “breast self-exam is a tool that can be used to both increase awareness of breast cancer and to learn about what changes in the breast should be reported.” The National Cancer Institute makes no specific recommendations regarding Breast Self Exam. They do state, however, “studies so far have not shown that Breast Self Exam alone reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer.”

Why no consensus? When consensus statements are published, they are based on the best available scientific studies and they almost always err on the side of caution, especially when discussing a potentially lethal disease. One fear is that women may rely on breast self-examination alone and neglect an exam by a trained clinician. Gynecologists and family medicine physicians receive extensive training in breast examination and screen hundreds of patients. Self-examination is no substitute for an exam by a trained professional. However…. While your doctor has had more training and has seen more examples, you have certainly seen more of your own breasts. This means that you have one important advantage over your physician: you can follow your breast health over time and screen your breasts more often than your doctor. Where to begin? Ask your doctor to train you in the technique of breast self-examination. She or He will show you the proper technique and may point out normal findings in your own breasts. Breasts can be lumpy and bumpy by nature, but new or fast growing lumps are not natural.

By learning your UNIQUE breast “infrastructure,” you will be in an ideal position to look for changes in your breasts over time. Some abnormalities that your doctors may tell you to look for include lumps or swelling, skin irritation, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scaly skin of the nipple or breast, or a discharge other than breast milk. She may also have you raise your arm above your head, look for dimpling in the breast or anything that resembles the peel of an orange. She may recommend that you perform this self-exam once a month. I recommend you discuss this with your own doctor and see which plan is right for you.

It is important to understand that while these signs do not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer, they are all important findings. If you notice any of these changes in your breasts, contact a medical professional as soon as possible. Remember that breast self-examination cannot replace clinical exams or mammograms, but it can serve as an early detection device once you know how to perform it. Always tell your doctor about changes in your breasts immediately--do not simply wait for your next check up.

If you are 40 or older, you should be having a mammogram every year. You should also have a clinical breast examination as well.

If you are under age 40, make sure you are getting a thorough clinical breast exam at least every 3 years.

Breast health is every woman’s responsibility and regular breast screening is one of the best ways to reduce the number of deaths that occur from this frightening, yet treatable disease.

I am Dr. Sugar – And if you haven’t already done so be sure to read all of the medical inspiration blogs on breast cancer screening. Thank you for your interest in Total Wellness. Simply click on my picture and go to my profile to see the to see the latest medical blogs on a wide variety of topics. I’ll see you there.

Giving You Your Dose of MEDICAL INSPIRATION,
Dr. Sugar
TO YOUR TOTAL WELLNESS!!

Resources:
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
American Cancer Society
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

The information contained in this blog is not medical advice.
Please consult your medical doctor before making any decisions
or taking any actions on your health or the health of your family.