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Breast Cancer - Health Tips
Howard Benn, MD, Cancer Liaison Physician, St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, discusses Breast Cancer Facts, Warning Signs/Risk Factors, Screening Recommendations and Treatment Options.
Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and the second leading cause of death in women. Incidence increases with age, in 2000 we are beginning to notice that the age factor is decreasing. Cancer is by definition the proliferation of long lived cells that have an abnormal growth advantage. Warning signs include, painless lumps or thickening of the breast tissue, thickening or swelling that persists, nipple pain, retraction or erosion, breast skin irritation or dimpling, and spontaneous discharge from the nipple. Early breast cancer may not have any symptoms. A healthy breast check up includes mammograms, a clinical health exam by a physician and monthly self exams. The American Cancer Society recommends, annual mammograms beginning at age 40, clinical breast exams every year starting at age 40 and every 3 years for women age 20-39 and self breast exams monthly starting at age 20.
Risk factors are age, family and personal history, race, treatment with DES, radiation, genetic factors, menstrual history and reproductive history. Surgery, chemotherapy, biological therapies, radiation therapy, hormonal therapies and immunotherapies are all methods suggested for treatment.
Nutrition guidelines such as keeping a variety of healthy foods, eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, have an active lifestyle exercising at least 3 times a week, and maintain a healthy weight as well as limiting alcohol consumption.
