Community Corner

Exams a Must for Detecting Breast Cancer

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, so start by getting yourself checked out.

In Pennsylvania, experts predict 10,570 new cases of breast cancer to be diagnosed this year.

Catching it early could make the difference between life and death—that's where breast exams come into play.

Do it in the shower. Do it while getting ready for bed. Just do it once a month.

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Get familiar with your breasts. Look for lumps, changes in size, shape or feel, and to see if there is any fluid.

All women should know their breasts and surrounding areas so they can be aware of changes, the American Cancer Society recommends.

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“I encourage all of you to become an expert about the way your breasts look and feel so you can detect any subtle changes. After all, it’s our body, and we are the ones who have to live with whatever goes wrong with it,” said Jennie Yoon Buchanan, Medical Director of Women’s Imaging Services at Florida Hospitals.

It’s even more important that women in their 20s see a doctor for a Clinical Breast Exam every three years – and once a year after turning 40. Most doctors recommend annual mammograms for women 40 and older. Higher risk men and women should see their doctors more often.

“Many breast cancers will be found in women who never felt a lump, because on average, mammography will detect about 80 to 90 percent of the breast cancers in women without symptoms,” said Kristina Thomson, executive vice president, interim, for the American Cancer Society of New York and New Jersey.

Jennifer Kehm, cofounder of the Young Women's Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation located in Pittsburgh, has said performing a self-breast examination at the same time every month is an important thing for all women to do.

“Detection early is key," she said. "If found early, there’s a less likely chance the cancer could travel to other areas in your body. Breast cancer doesn’t kill women; it’s when it travels that’s harmful.”

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the idea is to educate women and men and to raise money for the cure. Sometimes women are afraid to go see their doctors, but this is the time to do it. Grab a friend and make appointments.

The American Cancer Society works closely with health departments and health care systems to provide free mammograms. Call 1-800-227-2345 for more information.

Developments in the medical field include diagnostic innovations, such as those found at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. The hospital is working on more early-detection procedures that are less invasive.

“Improvements in detection, as well as insights into surgical treatment options and their outcomes, have increasingly led to longer, improved lives for women with breast cancer,” said Dr. Andrew Seidman, who practices in New York and is part of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Locally, several organizations and health facilities are teaming up to ensure that all women recieve quality, timely care:

  • A Mammogram Voucher Program for uninsured and underinsured women is sponsored by the Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure®, the American Cancer Society Southwest Region Office and the Family Health Council Inc. More than 60 Pittsburgh-area mammography facilities participate in the voucher program to ensure that all women have access to quality diagnostic breast care services, including UPMC Cancer Centers and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. Anyone who wants to check on program eligibility should call the MVP toll-free number at 1-888-687-0505 or the ACS toll-free number at 1-888-227-5445.
  • Adagio Health also is involved in breast and cervical cancer screening as part of its women's health care services. Breast Self Examination (BSE) instruction, Clinical Breast Exams (CBE), pelvic exams and Pap tests are provided at several offices throughout western Pennsylvania. Mammography is provided at FDA-certified facilities in each county. To find locations in Allegheny and Washington counties, see www.adagiohealth.org/pages/healthcare/cancer.htm.
  • UPMC Horizon and Family Planning Services of Mercer County in Pennsylvania are teaming up to offer clinical breast examinations, Pap tests and mammograms to eligible women through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s HealthyWoman Program. Eligible women are ages 50 through 64 with no health insurance. Those interested can schedule an examination between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at the Family Planning Services office in Sharon. At the completion of the examination, participants will receive a voucher for a free mammogram at the Womancare Center of UPMC Horizon, which will be scheduled by the Family Planning Services staff for a later date in October. To schedule an appointment, call the Sharon Family Planning Services office at 724-981-6250.


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