What you need to know about breast cancer

AN UPDATE FROM LOCAL EXPERTS

By Julie Young Although breast cancer remains one of the two most common types of cancer in the world, and the fifth-leading cause of cancerrelated deaths annually, there is plenty of reason to hope. Ongoing research has yielded several developments in both the detection and treatment of breast cancer that will improve the lives of women (and men!) for years to come. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we checked in with local experts to find out what readers need to know about self-exams, screening, early detection, and treatment.

Denise Glasser, BS, CSC, client advocate and AASECT certified sexuality counselor with Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, says October is a great time to think about breast health because early detection is so important when it comes to breast cancer. “People need to do a monthly self-exam and get a yearly mammogram, but people don’t always know how to do a self-check,” she said. “That’s why it is important to talk to your doctor, ask them to show you how to do it, and then do it while they watch you to make sure you are doing it right.”

shutterstock.com It’s also important to visually inspect your breasts for any changes, dimples, puckers, bulges, rashes, sore spots, or bloody nipple discharge, and report any unusual findings to your physician so that he or she can guide your next steps. Dr. Thomas Lorenc, with Women’s Specialty Care (part of the Axia Women’s Health Network), says many women come into his office with breast pain and assume that it is cancer. However, breast cancer is rarely painful in its early stages. “We are currently recommending that women practice breast self-awareness and should notify their healthcare provider if they notice any significant change in their breasts,” he said. “Asymptomatic average risk women may be offered screening at their annual exam with intervals of every one-to-three years for women ages 25 to 35, and annually for women 40 years or older.” Lorenc says early detection of breast cancer is hugely important, and the medical community has seen breast cancer mortality rates decrease substantially over the past 50 years thanks to that improved surveillance. At the present time, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent compared to 1975 when the five-year survival rate was only 75 percent. A mammogram will detect breast cancer two years before it can be felt, and this head start can make a world of difference when it comes to fighting the disease and making a full recovery. “Women can be proactive with their breast health by seeing their provider on a regular basis for clinical breast examination, getting the recommended screening mammograms, and encouraging others to do the same,” he said. Glasser agrees and says that women need to get comfortable having frank conversations with their doctor and to use their appointment time to overshare their concerns. “Most importantly, I want people to know that if they do need help or if a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer, they should reach out to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. We are here to help,” she said. a

Resources: Axia Women’s Health, Fort Wayne, 260.432.4400, axiawh.com Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne, 260.484.9572, cancer-services.org