We may recognize that it is October by the smell of pumpkin spice, but if you look carefully, you should also see the pink ribbons of breast cancer awareness month. We wanted to take the opportunity this month to go over preventative measures and risk factors, screening recommendations and signs of the disease that hits close to home for so many of our patients.

Preventing Breast Cancer

While there is no sure way to completely prevent breast cancer, there are lifestyle recommendations which can help decrease your risk of developing it.  Many of these recommendations may sound familiar; they are the same as the ones our providers counsel our patients on at annual wellness exams!   These include:

• Alcohol:  Some studies have shown a link to an increased risk in breast cancer, as well as many other cancers, when women consume alcohol excessively.  For this reason, The American Cancer Society recommends that women drink no more than 1 alcoholic beverage a day.
• Weight:  Research has shown that women who are overweight after menopause or women who carry more excess fat around their waist may increase their risk of breast cancer. Therefore, it is recommended that all women try to maintain a healthy weight by regularly exercising and maintaining a balanced diet.
• Exercise:  Regular physical activity, especially after menopause, has been shown to decrease one’s risk of breast cancer.  The amount of physical activity to decrease this risk is not clear, but The American Cancer Society suggests at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week.
• Children:  Women who have never had children or have their first child after age 30 may have a greater risk of certain breast cancers.
• Breastfeeding: Some studies support that breastfeeding can decrease the risk of breast cancer.
• Birth Control:  Research has shown that there may be a small increased risk of breast cancer in women who take contraceptives containing hormones compared to those who do not; these include birth control pills, the shot, and IUDs.  This risk seems to decrease after stopping the medication.  The choice to start or continue all forms of birth control are taken very seriously and weighed against other risk factors and benefits and should be discussed individually with your healthcare provider.
• Hormone Replacement: Combined hormone therapy which contains estrogen and progesterone that is used for the treatment of menopause and osteoporosis has been linked to a risk of breast cancer.  This risk can decrease after 5 years of stopping the medication.

Early Detection and Diagnosis

Many women never have symptoms before the diagnosis of breast cancer, making screenings one of the most vital components of early detection and treatment.  The American Cancer Society recommends the following screenings for women at average risk of breast cancer:

• Mammograms: Age 40-44 may choose to start annual mammograms.  Age 45-54 should get annual mammograms. Age 55 and older may switch to every other year mammograms or continue with annual mammograms, and should continue for as long as a woman is in good health or expected to live for at least another 10 years.
• Clinical and self breast exam: There has been little evidence to support that physical breast exams by a clinician, or individually, can detect breast cancer earlier than Mammograms.  However, it is recommended that women be familiar with their breasts in how they feel and look, so they may detect any changes as soon as possible.

Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Like mentioned previously, self and clinical breast exams should not replace screening mammograms since screening tests can detect breast cancer before symptoms appear.  However, here are a list of symptoms that would warrant further evaluation:

• A new lump or mass, especially if it is painless, hard, or has irregular edges
• Swelling to part or all of a breast
• Skin dimpling or changes including redness, thickening, or scaling of the breast tissue or nipple
• Breast or nipple pain
• Nipple retraction or nipple discharge

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to take the opportunity to remind all of our patients that there are many opportunities to decrease your risk of breast cancer or detect it early so that treatment is initiated swiftly and effectively. We encourage you to continue to maintain your healthy lifestyles of limiting alcohol to one serving a day, maintaining a well balanced diet, exercising at least 150 minutes a week, mammograms (for those in recommended age brackets) and self breast awareness.  As always, please schedule an appointment with one of our providers if you have any new symptoms or concerns.