October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital is proud to participant.
Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women after skin cancer. About one in eight women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point.
Chances of survival are higher if it’s found and treated early. Prevention and detection is key. If you’re a woman age 40 to 49, talk with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them. Women age 50 to 74 should get a mammogram every two years.
Talk to your doctor about your risk for breast cancer especially if a family member had breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get mammograms.
In addition to mammograms, breast self-exams can also be an important tool in the early detection of breast cancer. Self-exams should be done once a month, preferably several days following your period. If you notice anything that’s not normal, contact your physician.
While uncommon, men can also get breast cancer. The major problem is that breast cancer in men is often diagnosed later than breast cancer in women, since men are less likely to be suspicious of something strange in that area. Symptoms are similar to those in women, such as a lump, nipple discharge, or a change in the appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms, male or female, should contact their physician immediately to schedule further testing.
If you are eligible to receive services at GLWACH, contact your primary care manager for a referral or call the radiology department directly to schedule your mammogram.
If you would like to receive more information about breast cancer, stop by the public health clinic located inside the hospital.
(Editor’s note: Waterman is a registered nurse at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital.)