If you or someone you know is dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis, you are not alone. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers, accounting for a third of new cancers in women each year. And while that figure is sobering, there is good news – many breast cancer cases are highly treatable, especially if they are caught in early stages through routine screenings and self-checks. Not all breast cancers are the same, and at Phoebe, we’re dedicated to giving each woman affected by breast cancer support and treatment custom tailored to her unique cancer journey.
The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. However, most lumps are benign. Other signs include a generalized swelling of part of a breast (even if no lump is felt), skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction, redness or scaly appearance of the nipple or breast skin, or a spontaneous discharge other than breast milk. Type, stage, grade, and hormone receptor status are just a few ways to classify breast cancer. Regular screenings and self-checks are absolutely crucial to early detection – learn more about screening here.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It is about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year.
new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed.
women will die from breast cancer.
Breast cancer mainly occurs in middle-aged and older women. The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62. This means half of the women who developed breast cancer are 62 years of age or younger when they are diagnosed. A very small number of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45.
With services and resources conveniently provided at multiple locations, Carlton Breast Health Center will help you take care of the many important aspects of your breast health journey. Remember! Early detection saves lives. Mammograms and breast exams help spot breast cancer early.
From breast cancer prevention, education, diagnostics, treatment as well as social and emotional support, our caring experts are here for you, providing a full spectrum of care for women throughout southwest Georgia. Phoebe’s team approach to care ensures every patient can choose the individual treatment plan that is best for their needs.
There are a range of factors that may heighten the risk for developing breast cancer. If you fall into any of these categories, you may need to explore your risk factors with a Phoebe breast cancer professional.
Gender and age: Not surprisingly, being a woman is the greatest risk factor for breast cancer, but men can also develop breast cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer also increases with age, with most invasive breast cancers found in women aged 55 or older.
Family Heritage / ethnicity: Studies also show a higher indication of breast cancer cases found in women of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish descent, and in recent years, breast cancer cases are increasing among African-American and Hispanic women.
Family history: Another key risk factor is family history, especially in a first-degree relative (parent, child, sibling). Compared to women without a family history, the risk of breast cancer is about 1.5 times higher for women with one affected first-degree female relative and 2 to 4 times higher for women with more than one first-degree relative. Risk is even higher when the affected female relative was diagnosed at a young age or was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts, or if the affected relative is male.
As a part of Carlton Breast Health Center’s High-Risk Breast Cancer Patient program, every patient who has a mammogram at Carlton Breast Health Center will have their family cancer history reviewed and assessed and their risk for breast cancer calculated. If an elevated risk for breast cancer is found, Phoebe can provide additional testing and recommendations to manage the increased risk.
Family history is a powerful risk factor, and one that patients can use as an important step to understanding their risk. Family history helps medical providers understand whether our own risk for cancers is normal or high, and can be an indicator if additional preventative measures like genetic testing should be included in a prevention regimen. In fact, there are some conditions within family history which automatically makes a patient eligible for genetic testing (such as ovarian cancer, male breast cancer, or an early onset breast or colon cancer). Genetic testing can also look for breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, and more).
Genetic testing at Phoebe Cancer Center has these main purposes:
Not all cancers can be prevented. But there are things you can do that might lower your risk. Know your risk factors and do what you can to control what you can, taking the steps to minimize your risk. Some steps to consider
When it comes to cancer, screening is crucial. Regularly scheduled screenings are the key to being able to find cancer in its earliest stages – the easiest stages to treat successfully. While there are a lot of different tests and scans that can help detect breast cancer, the two most common screeners are Breast Self-Examinations and Mammograms. Details for both are listed below:
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is an NAPBC (National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers) Center of Excellence which means we’re held to the highest standards of care for breast cancer patients. At the Phoebe Cancer Center, each new breast cancer case is presented to a multi-disciplinary breast cancer team prior to the start of a customized treatment plan to ensure every plan starts with the highest level of collective expertise.
Typically, cancer treatment regimens follow a staged approach with different therapies and treatments used in combination or in a sequential treatment plan. Some treatment categories include:
At times, patients and families dealing with cancer just need to be with a group of people who understand the concerns and celebrations each person faces on their cancer journey.
The Phoebe Breast Cancer Support Group generally meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month to bring these people and these conversations together.
Please call 229-312-5440 to confirm this month’s schedule or to get more information about our cancer support groups.
Our multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment and care is powered by a team of providers that cover a broad range of expertise.
Phoebe Cancer Center works in cooperation with a number of organizations to give access to clinical trails to our qualified patients. Click below to learn more.