Since this is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is an especially good time for women to get started in habits that promote breast health. Here are some of the most common myths about breast cancer and some suggestions for what women can do to decrease their risk.
Myth: “It won't happen to me.”
Reality: 240,510 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2008, and 60 of them will be Cayuga County residents. The vast majority of these women will have “no special risk” other than the fact that they are female and are getting older. While it's true that about 30 percent of women have risk factors that make them more vulnerable, every woman's risk increases with age. Two-thirds of all females with breast cancer are over age 50.
Myth: “I'm better off not knowing if I have a problem with my breasts.”
Reality: While doing nothing may give some women a false sense of security, advances in early detection and improved treatment of breast cancer now make it a nearly curable condition. The key is in finding it early. Although breast cancer is still second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths, the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 97 percent today.
Myth: “I'll be all set as long as I get my mammogram on schedule.”
Reality: While screening mammography is especially valuable as an early detection tool, it is not 100 percent effective, nor is it recommended as a technique to be used by itself. The best protection is a three-step approach that includes:
1. Monthly breast self-examination, beginning at age 20
2. Annual clinical breast exams by a health care professional, beginning at age 40
3. Annual mammograms, beginning at age 40.
Women ages 20-39 should have clinical breast exams by a health care professional at least every three years.
Myth: “I don't have time to do breast self examination (BSE), and I wouldn't be able to find anything even if I did.
Reality: BSE is simple to learn and takes only 10 minutes per month to do. Women who practice BSE become so familiar with the normal look, feel and shape of their breasts that they often are able to discover problems as soon as they occur. (Women themselves find about 90 percent of “new” breast lumps.) The list of “what to look for” includes: skin irritation or dimpling; scaling or ulcerations; puckering or discoloration; inversion of the nipple, and a lump, thickening, swelling or distortion of the size or shape of the breast. The basic rule of thumb is: check for anything that may be “different” from last month, and seek medical attention if you find something “abnormal.” But don't panic 80 percent of breast lumps are not cancerous. Contact our office at 253-1560 for more information about BSE.
Myth: “I can't afford to get a doctor's exam of the breast or a mammogram.”
Reality: There are programs that pay for these services, in cases where women have little or no private health insurance and meet other eligibility guidelines. Medicaid, Family Health Plus and our Healthy Men and Women Partnership (CCHMWP) program cover clinical breast exams and mammograms. The CCHMWP offers breast, cervical and colon cancer screening through grants from the New York State Department of Health and the Central NY Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For the Cure.
Here's another idea: plan to attend our “Ladies' Health Day” Saturday. Uninsured and underinsured women ages 18 and older are invited to participate in this event. The purpose is to offer health care to women who face financial challenges and have limited access to transportation and medical services.
The following services will be offered at no charge: Blood pressure checks, diabetes screening, clinical breast exams, pelvic exams and Pap smears, colon cancer home test kits and information on women's health.
The program, which is co-sponsored by the Healthy Men and Women Partnership, will also feature refreshments, door prizes and give-away items. Appointments are required to participate in the Port Byron event.
In addition no cost/low cost mammograms will also be available Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Essential Diagnostics, 615 N. Seward Ave., Auburn. Appointments are also required to attend this event. Pre- registration is required by Tuesday, Nov. 18. Anyone interested can call 253-1455.
Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for Cayuga County. She can be reached at 253-1560 or cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us
Reality: 240,510 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2008, and 60 of them will be Cayuga County residents. The vast majority of these women will have “no special risk” other than the fact that they are female and are getting older. While it's true that about 30 percent of women have risk factors that make them more vulnerable, every woman's risk increases with age. Two-thirds of all females with breast cancer are over age 50.
Myth: “I'm better off not knowing if I have a problem with my breasts.”
Reality: While doing nothing may give some women a false sense of security, advances in early detection and improved treatment of breast cancer now make it a nearly curable condition. The key is in finding it early. Although breast cancer is still second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths, the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 97 percent today.
Myth: “I'll be all set as long as I get my mammogram on schedule.”
Reality: While screening mammography is especially valuable as an early detection tool, it is not 100 percent effective, nor is it recommended as a technique to be used by itself. The best protection is a three-step approach that includes:
1. Monthly breast self-examination, beginning at age 20
2. Annual clinical breast exams by a health care professional, beginning at age 40
3. Annual mammograms, beginning at age 40.
Women ages 20-39 should have clinical breast exams by a health care professional at least every three years.
Myth: “I don't have time to do breast self examination (BSE), and I wouldn't be able to find anything even if I did.
Reality: BSE is simple to learn and takes only 10 minutes per month to do. Women who practice BSE become so familiar with the normal look, feel and shape of their breasts that they often are able to discover problems as soon as they occur. (Women themselves find about 90 percent of “new” breast lumps.) The list of “what to look for” includes: skin irritation or dimpling; scaling or ulcerations; puckering or discoloration; inversion of the nipple, and a lump, thickening, swelling or distortion of the size or shape of the breast. The basic rule of thumb is: check for anything that may be “different” from last month, and seek medical attention if you find something “abnormal.” But don't panic 80 percent of breast lumps are not cancerous. Contact our office at 253-1560 for more information about BSE.
Myth: “I can't afford to get a doctor's exam of the breast or a mammogram.”
Reality: There are programs that pay for these services, in cases where women have little or no private health insurance and meet other eligibility guidelines. Medicaid, Family Health Plus and our Healthy Men and Women Partnership (CCHMWP) program cover clinical breast exams and mammograms. The CCHMWP offers breast, cervical and colon cancer screening through grants from the New York State Department of Health and the Central NY Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For the Cure.
Here's another idea: plan to attend our “Ladies' Health Day” Saturday. Uninsured and underinsured women ages 18 and older are invited to participate in this event. The purpose is to offer health care to women who face financial challenges and have limited access to transportation and medical services.
The following services will be offered at no charge: Blood pressure checks, diabetes screening, clinical breast exams, pelvic exams and Pap smears, colon cancer home test kits and information on women's health.
The program, which is co-sponsored by the Healthy Men and Women Partnership, will also feature refreshments, door prizes and give-away items. Appointments are required to participate in the Port Byron event.
In addition no cost/low cost mammograms will also be available Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Essential Diagnostics, 615 N. Seward Ave., Auburn. Appointments are also required to attend this event. Pre- registration is required by Tuesday, Nov. 18. Anyone interested can call 253-1455.
Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for Cayuga County. She can be reached at 253-1560 or cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us
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