October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a great opportunity to think beyond pink ribbons and take a practical look at breast health.
As an OB-GYN, I coordinate breast cancer screenings for my patients every day.
I also unfortunately diagnose breast cancer far too often, as 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. One of the most important messages I can share is this: Breast cancer screening is not one-size-fits-all, and knowing your own breasts and your family history can help you make informed decisions about when and how often to screen.
When should I get a mammogram?
For women at average risk who do not have breast symptoms, breast cancer screening should start at age 40 with a screening mammogram. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
and the American Cancer Society recommend a mammogram once a year. There are nuances in how often to screen and when to stop screening, so talk with your healthcare provider about which schedule best fits your age, health and risk factors.
Mammography remains the primary, most widely used and accessible screening tool. This quick imaging test provides a lot of valuable information. Mammograms look for breast abnormalities, masses, lymph nodes and other changes to detect cancer and even pre-cancerous changes.
Women at higher-than-average risk for breast cancer may need to begin screening earlier or undergo additional imaging, such as a breast MRI. Those with certain inherited genetic mutations, a strong family history of breast cancer or a history of radiation to the chest may benefit from a personalized screening plan developed with their health care provider.
What breast changes should I have checked?
Most breast changes are not cancer. Breasts can naturally feel lumpy or change with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes and age. Still, a new or persistent change deserves attention.
Call a healthcare provider if there is a new lump in the breast or armpit, thickening or swelling, skin dimpling or irritation, redness or flaky skin, a newly pulled-in nipple, unusual nipple pain or nipple discharge, especially bloody. A change in breast size or shape, or persistent breast pain, also deserves evaluation.
Do not wait to schedule a mammogram if there is a concerning change. A screening mammogram is designed for people without symptoms. When a symptom is present, a clinician may recommend a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound or other testing.
What if breast cancer runs in my family?
Family history is important, but having a relative with breast cancer does not automatically mean you will develop it. In fact, most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a known family history. Understanding your family history can help determine whether you may benefit from a more personalized breast cancer prevention and screening plan.
Tell your doctor about breast cancer or ovarian cancer in parents, siblings, children, grandparents, aunts and uncles, especially if cancer occurred at a young age, affected both breasts, occurred in a male relative or if several relatives were affected.
Certain family patterns can suggest an inherited cancer risk, including BRCA1 or BRCA2 and other gene changes. Your doctor may recommend genetic counseling to review your family history and determine whether genetic testing makes sense. If you are found to have a higher lifetime risk, you may benefit from earlier or more frequent screening.
Take action this October
Breast cancer awareness is ultimately about taking action.
Schedule your mammogram when it is due. Know what is normal for your breasts and tell your doctor about breast changes instead of waiting for them to go away.
Take a few minutes to learn your family’s cancer history and share that with your doctor.
You do not need to navigate breast cancer screening alone. Your OB-GYN or primary care provider can help you understand your personal risk, choose the appropriate screening schedule and decide whether genetic counseling or additional testing is appropriate.
This October, give yourself something more valuable than a pink ribbon: a plan for protecting your breast health.
Kayle Sessions, M.D., is a general obstetrician and gynecologist at Texas Tech Physicians and an assistant professor at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: TTUHSC Dr. on what to know for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October
