What Are Warning Signs of Breast Cancer?

AVERA HEALTH

When it comes to your breast health, be vigilant and advocate for your own well-being, advises Michelle Bryan, MD, breast surgeon with Avera Medical Group Comprehensive Breast Care.

After age 40, annual mammograms are the best way to help ensure that breast cancer is caught in its earliest stages—before you can feel a lump or before other symptoms appear.

A mammogram detects changes in your breast earlier than a physical examination alone. “Mammograms can pick up subtle changes you can’t feel. Early signs of breast cancer are not always noticed during a physical exam. The mammogram’s strength is the fact it picks up many early breast cancers at stages, before they lead to physical changes,” Bryan said. “Those notable changes an exam might find often come at more-advanced stages of the disease.”

But beyond a suspicious finding on a mammogram or feeling a lump, you can be on the lookout for other symptoms. Not all breast cancers may produce a lump—and may manifest physically in other ways.

The Bridges at 57th Street 57th & Western Avenue | Sioux Falls, SD (605) 521-5099 | www.rainnsalon.com

Symptoms that are more concerning – ones you should share with a breast cancer expert – include: • Skin thickening—similar to the peel of an orange, a hard knot, or a lump—that’s hard, uneven and doesn’t move, especially if appearing in only one breast • Inverted nipple, nipple pulling to the side or dimpling or puckering within the breast • Patchy, crusting skin around the nipple (similar to eczema in appearance) • Bloody nipple discharge (non-trauma induced), especially if appearing suddenly and in only one breast • Redness or darkening of the breast (non-trauma induced and non-nursing women)

Symptoms that are less concerning, ones you may want to mention to your provider at your next visit, include: • Pain in the breast • Changes in breast shape • Changes in breast size (usually related to puberty, pregnancy, body weight, menopause or menstrual cycle)

Know Your Body to Better Detect Changes

The best way to know if your breasts have changed is to know what they normally look and feel like. “Get comfortable with what your breasts feel like. Ask if you can feel along with your doctor during your annual exam and ask questions about appearance or what a normal feeling is versus something concerning,” said Bryan.

“I often take my patient’s fingers and help them feel benign variations in their breasts. You should get to know your body and be comfortable with examining yourself. You are your strongest advocate.”

Various Factors Determine Risk for Breast Cancer

Before mammograms begin or physical symptoms are found, other factors could influence your probability for getting breast cancer. It’s important to note however, “Since 85% of breast cancers are not inherited, mammograms are the best form of surveillance of breast health,” she said.

Your medical background could have factors influencing your risk of breast cancer including: • Family history of BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene or a first-degree relative (mother, daughter, sister) with a breast cancer diagnosis; multiple first-degree relatives with breast cancer increases risk—and genetic testing may be recommended • High-risk lesions • Exposure to chest radiation as a child • Previous occurrence of breast cancer • Hormone replacement therapy • Demographics such as age, weight, ethnicity, pregnancies and/or nursing, eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking status, age at first monthly period, age at menopause and others

The Importance of Breast Screenings & Self-Exams

In the United States, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their life. Schedule annual physical exams with your primary care provider, receive mammograms annually over the age of 40 (or earlier if you have family history) and perform self-breast exams at home—beginning at puberty. Performing monthly, self-breast exams five days after your monthly period starts is a critical step for consistent monitoring of breast changes.

“The best way to find early breast cancer is to do yearly mammograms.

Mammograms can catch cancer earlier, but they do not prevent cancer,” Bryan said. “A healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer by 40%. That includes maintaining a normal body weight, exercising 30 minutes per day for 150 minutes a week and increasing green, leafy vegetables and fruits in your diet,” Bryan said.

For those with dense breasts, other imaging tests may be recommended such as breast MRI, contrast enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) or ultrasound screenings, (in addition to or alternating with mammograms)—as density can make mammogram results difficult to read and to find cancer in breast tissue.

Learn more about breast cancer care at Avera or find a mammogram location near you.

Happy Fall Y’all! Decorate with a touch of nostalgia with fantastic finds from the Nauti Nice booth at I-29 Antiques. South on I-29 to exit 73, then 1/4 mile west. Open 7 days a week. (605) 368-5810.

Committed to Excellence When it comes to education, the City of Luverne is committed to excellence. Through the Dollars for Scholars program, thousands of students have been gifted a head start on secondary education, putting the Luverne education system on par with some of the best in the country. Invest in your family by making the move to Luverne. You’ll love the life! For more information, call (507) 449-5033 or visit cityofluverne.org.

Give Us a Call Getting your vehicle serviced doesn’t have to be a pain. At Papik Motors, we encourage our customers to be involved as much or as little as they’d like to be. Give us a call or schedule online: https://www.papik. com/service/

October 23 - 25 arts ZooBoo grab bags with treats & goodies, creepy carrousel and spooky train rides, and so much more! greatzoo.org./zooboo Great Plains Zoo Sioux Falls possibilities Pamper Yourself in Luverne Treat yourself to a delicious dinner, a new outfit, a massage and so much more! www.luvernechamber.com

All Your Sewing Needs Visit The Sewing Basket in Luverne, MN for all of your sewing needs. Small town attention with big city sewing knowledge! The Sewing Basket. 204 E. Main St., Luverne, MN. (507) 283-9769.

Happy Halloween! Celebrate Halloween with something out of the ordinary this year. Shop Blue Mound Liquor’s large selection of unique wines, beers and liquors. Blue Mound Liquor. 319 W. Main St., Luverne, MN. (507) 449-5052.

Now Scheduling Family Portrait Sessions We are still scheduling portrait sessions at Julie Prairie Photography! High School Senior, Family or Commercial sessions have limited availability. Don’t let the most beautiful time of the year pass you by. Mention Etc for Her when booking to receive a free gift with your portrait session. Downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota Portrait Studio. Contact Julie Prairie Photography today at 605.359.6640 or jp@julieprairie.com. Wilde Prairie Winery Harvest Festival October 3 • 12pm - 5pm 48052 259th St. Brandon, SD Kabob King food truck, Vermillion Brothers 1-5pm, Grand A Alpacas, bounce house, temporary tattoos, pumpkin painting and vendors. INFO www.wildeprairiewinery.com

CBD Enhancements Enjoy the power of nature with our new Organic CBD infused massages and facials! Premiering now at Radiance Day Spa! (Starting at $25). 6209 S. Pinnacle Place, (605) 275-9535.

Olaplex 3 Hair Perfector A concentrated treatment that strengthens the hair from within, reducing breakage and improving its look and feel. Addresses damaged and compromised hair. Strengthens and protects hair structure. Restores healthy appearance and texture. Available at Rainn Salon and Spa. 57th & Western. (605) 521-5099.

Leather Weather It’s leather weather, so let us help you find that special piece to add to your wardrobe! Maybe it’s a jacket, a new handbag or a new pair of shoes...we have it all and we can’t wait to help you! Juliana’s Boutique. 196 E. 6th St. (605) 271-1824.

Sparkle & Shine Find the most adorable shoes for her to sparkle and shine in this holiday season! Thank you for shopping your local Stride Rite! 2425 S. Shirley Avenue. (605)362-7728.

Cute & Comfy Find cute and comfortable shoes at DART Boutique! DART Boutique. 615 E. Brian Street. (605) 777-3956.

Hippie Chic! Find everything your little lady will love at Kidtopia! East side Dawley Farms location and The Bridges at 57th & Western. (605) 3334-4825.

Have a Little Fun! Have a little fun with your fall container garden, add any and all of your favorite foliage colors! Oak Ridge Nursery. 2217 S. Splitrock Blvd. Brandon, SD. (605) 331-4421.

Craving an Easier Way to Order? Start your order at cbgsd.com or text CARNAVAL to 33733 Carnaval Brazilian Grill. 2401 South Carolyn Avenue – Sioux Falls | (605) 361.6328 @CarnavalGrill

Fresh Up for Fall! New pillows on your sofa is a great way to be festive for the season. Stop by HTH to see all our new fall pillows! Houndstooth House. 201 W. 37th. (605) 366-2570, Info@ houndstoothhouse.com

More Color Choices! We have the cabinet colors that you are looking for! The latest additions to our color palette are Capri and Carbon. Visit our showroom today and ask one of our friendly designers about these new colors from StarMark Cabinetry. Today’s StarMark Custom Cabinetry. 600 E. 48th Street N. (605) 977-3660.

Half Shoe Sale! Get your half shoes at buy one get one 50% off through the month of October! The Dance Line. 2115 S. Minnesota Ave. (605) 335-8242.

A Perfect Gift! Honor your four-legged family members with a color pencil custom portrait! Or give as a gift for the pet lover in your life. www.KurtHoldorf.net It’s Time! It’s “time” to stop at Stacey’s for those unique Christmas gifts and holiday decor items. Join us Oct 17th from 11-3 for our Pheasant Opener event and specials store wide! 27102 Albers Avenue, Sioux Falls. (605) 213-0045.

Sweater & Boot Season Shop Style Encore for a huge selection of sweaters and boots for fall! Brand-name casual & business apparel, footwear & accessories for women. 3812 S. Western Ave. (605) 275-5592.

PAIR IT. WEAR IT. Do you have that favorite piece of clothing in your closet you LOVE but don’t know what to wear it with and/or how to accessorize it? Bring it in to Apricot Lane at Lake Lorraine and one of our Stylists will help you create the outfit(s) you need to look and feel your best and bring your closet back to life!

Very Pun-ny! Shop Young & Richards for delightful gifts to inspire all of life’s sparkling moments. Add laughter, inspiration & joy to every day celebrations. From holiday happenings to every day celebrations, you will find a gift fit for the moment. 222 S. Phillips Avenue. (605) 336-2815.