Breast health to a woman should be of the same importance as the prostate is to a man. The breast, like prostate health is dependent on many factors, i.e., environmental, heredity, activity and diet. I must also emphasis, while breast cancer is predominately a woman’s disease, men also get breast cancer. While in the Air Force, I was shocked and surprised that a good friend of mine, a 19 year old male had to go through a life changing surgery on his chest. The intrusive surgery saved his life as the tumors in his chest were removed and had not yet metastasized (spread throughout the body). The radical surgery at the time forever scared him mentally and physically. I was aghast when he showed me his chest after this procedure. I had no ideal that a surgical chest procedure of this magnitude would ever be performed on any human let alone a man. To this date, I’ve always wondered if he survived that ordeal by being cancer free. This disease can be so devastating by way of its insidious progression; many are caught off guard until aggressive treatment is necessary.
Cancer under the right conditions can incubate without knowledge for many years. Breast health in America should not be taken lightly as breast cancer is the second leading cause of death next to lung cancer for women. CDC (Centers for Disease and Control Prevention) 2004 statistics – Women 186,772 and 1815 men diagnosed with breast cancer (40,954 and 362 respective mortality). Risk Factors Increase: 1) As a woman ages. 2) When a woman begins menstruating (young age “Is Not” immune). 3) Pregnancies near, or after 30. 4) Hormone (estrogen) replacement treatment. 5) A 50 year family tree window of breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer. 6) Those without risk factors.
A summary of treatments: A mammogram is the most common preventative “nonintrusive” test available to ensure breast health is not compromised and proactive treatment is taken immediately if necessary. Breasts are placed between two plates to be x-rayed, identifying tumors, etc. Mammograms can detect tissue abnormalities that cannot be felt through self examination, but seen with x-rays! With early detection of breast abnormalities “it is more likely than not,” cancer will never see the light of day. If diagnosed with breast cancer, get a second opinion and information on intervention procedural options “do not delay!” There are various intervention common treatments available: Chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs); radiotherapy (high energy x-ray kill’s cancer cells); hormonal therapy (tumor reduction); biologic therapy (cancer agent spread blocker). If biopsy of breast tissue is necessary and tests review the breast(s) positive with malignancy, inquire about conservative “Lumpectomy” (tumor removal) opposed to mastectomy; part-full removal of breast(s).
Recommendations,
1. Look for lumps, or thickening under arm, or change difference, ridges, pitting, redness of breast.
2. Get Annual mammograms starting at age 40, if high risk runs in family, etc., start much earlier.
3. It is highly recommended all women between the ages of 20-39 get breast exams every 3 years.
4. Men breast Cancer – Symptoms and treatments are similar. Typical age when diagnosed, 60-70.
5. Ask about various breast cancer diagnoses: Mammogram, Ultrasound, exam frequency, etc.
6. Ask physician about genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 and early detection testing with family history.
7. If a family has breast, ovary, prostate cancer, family should seriously consider screening.
8. Reduce weight, reduce alcohol consumption, stop smoking and increase activity-exercise.
http://www.oncolink.org/types/article.cfm?c=3&s=5&ss=33&id=8320
Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.com Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.
Comment by wooamarc — December 5, 2008 @ 01:21
Let her know that even though she might make a self examination, some lumpy tissues are so small and cause no problem, It’s often a fire by the time it’s noticed – If there’s something there! Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in America for women. It is totally preventable and there really is no reason to let the condition metastasis “IF there is a condition… This is the unknown and this is why it’s important for women to take it seriously.
I think she is fully aware of the necessity to do this. I think maybe with a little support and nudge you can help her to see this as something that is normal and very worthwhile. It’s a matter of health!
Comment by Administrator — December 5, 2008 @ 01:33
Comment by dementiadeb — December 11, 2008 @ 15:36
If she does not have a computer that’s ok… You can continue to spread the health and illness prevention word to help your friends and loved one. Thanks Deb!
Comment by Marc Woodard — December 11, 2008 @ 16:08