Early screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer is vital to treating the disease and preventing serious complications.
Mammograms are a specific type of exam that detects breast cancer and other diseases in women at their earliest stages when they are most treatable. Mammograms are so advanced that they show changes in the breast up to two years before a physician or patient can discover them.
American College of Radiology and the Society for Breast Imaging guidelines state that women should receive annual mammograms starting at age 40 whether or not there is a family history of breast cancer.
Mammograms are extremely important because they have helped reduce breast cancer mortality in the U.S. by 40 percent since 1990. One in six breast cancer diagnoses occur in women aged 40-49, and 75 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease and are not considered high risk.
Annual mammograms are a great way to detect oncoming breast cancer, but there are also a variety of self-examination techniques available to women to help them spot breast cancer symptoms.
According to the American Cancer Society, mammograms do not find every breast cancer, so it’s important for women to be aware of changes in their breasts and know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Women should periodically look for swelling of all or part of a breast, which can be seen even if no lump is felt. Also be on the lookout for skin irritation or dimpling, nipple retraction, nipple discharge (other than breast milk) in addition to breast or nipple pain. Discovering any of these symptoms should result in a visit to your primary care physician.
There are occasions when breast cancer can spread to lymph nodes under the arm or around the collar bone and cause a lump or swelling. Swollen lymph nodes should be examined by a health provider.
Women should also do everything possible to schedule regular tests for cervical cancer, which affects approximately 13,000 women in the U.S. each year, and more than 4,000 women will die. Thankfully, due to proper screening through the use of Pap smears that result in early detection, deaths from cervical cancer have steadily declined in recent years.
Cervical cancer is a common form of cancer among women worldwide. Since it develops over time, cervical cancer is also one of the most preventable types of cancer.
Cervical cancer may be a trait in some families. If one of your relatives has been diagnosed with the disease, the odds are higher that you may have it as well. Consult with your health care provider to see how often you should be screened for cervical cancer. Depending on your previous Pap smear results and your age, you should be tested every three or five years, and all women should start getting regular Pap smears at age 21. It’s a good idea for women to schedule an annual “Well-Woman Exam” to discuss cervical cancer screenings and other health concerns based on your unique needs.
If you have concerns or questions about breast and cervical cancer screenings or are in need of a primary care physician for yourself or someone else, please call 317-880-8666 or visit www.eskenazihealth.edu/doctors.
Dr. Nydia Nunez-Estrada
Family Medicine Physician at Eskenazi Health