Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Breast Cancer Screening Saves Lives Through Early Detection

    TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

    10.22.2021

    Story by David Marks 

    Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms

    It’s Breast Health Awareness Month.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer follows skin cancer as the most common cancer among American women. Also, according to the CDC, mammograms are the most effective way to catch breast cancer early, “when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.”

    Ms. Domife (“Mimi”) Valdueza is Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms’ Breast Health Coordinator. Ms. Valdueza earned her registered nursing degree in the Philippines and in the U.S. she earned her RN license, her public-health-nurse license and case-manager certification. Ms. Valdueza provided emailed responses to the following questions:

    What is your best advice for a woman regarding breast health?

    Stay healthy by maintaining a balanced diet with plenty of green, leafy vegetables; limit your amount of drinking (alcohol); be physically active; quit smoking and get routine breast screening (breast self-exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms). Women should also be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer and breast cancer risks.

    How does a woman’s age affect how she should approach breast health?

    Most breast cancers are found in women who are age 50 and older. As we age, women’s breast cells are constantly changing and growing, mainly due to the activity of female hormones. Although, young women can also be at increased risk for breast cancer. High-risk patients should ask their primary-care provider if they can start early mammograms before age 40. In general, woman should start screening with mammograms at age 40 and older.

    What are the consequences of ignoring breast health?

    A woman may not know she has breast cancer until it’s in the late stage. If breast cancer is found at a late stage, it may be too late for effective treatment. Then it will be fatal. It’s better to detect breast cancer at an early stage, it’s easier to treat and they will have a good chance at a full recovery.

    Why should a woman not solely rely on self-exams?

    Some cancers may not be found by doing breast self-exams but could be found through mammography imaging or during clinical breast exams.

    According to the CDC, about 255,000 women in the U.S. get breast cancer annually and 42,000 women die from the disease.


    -30-

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.22.2021
    Date Posted: 10.22.2021 17:15
    Story ID: 407855
    Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US

    Web Views: 143
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN