Knowing the facts about breast cancer empowers a woman to take the necessary steps to detect the disease in its early stages, while encouraging her to make lifestyle changes to reduce the odds of developing the disease in the first place.
Despite decades of pursing an all-out cure and national efforts aimed at education and prevention, breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the United States, second only to skin cancer. Today millions of women are surviving the disease, thanks in part to early detection, improvements in treatment and by enacting healthy lifestyle choices.
The first step in staying healthy
The key to not only surviving a breast cancer diagnosis, but to thriving for years to come is early detection followed by early treatment. Routine breast exams and general awareness of how to maintain breast health are both important elements in staying healthy.
Practitioners at the Women’s OB/GYN Medical Group encourage routine screening methods including regular self-breast exams, breast checks during annual gynecologic exams, and screening mammography — all approaches that work to detect breast problems early. And, I like to tell my patients that when we can catch and treat breast problems early, we have a better shot of ensuring the long-term success of the therapy that follows.
Know your breast cancer risks
Some women who have one or more risk factors for breast cancer never actually develop the disease. Increased awareness about the risk associated with certain factors — particularly those that revolve around lifestyle choices that can be changed — can only serve to empower patients to make better choices.
Some risk factors such as age, genetics or race obviously cannot be changed. Other factors, including environment, can also be difficult to modify.
While some factors influence risk more than others, a person’s risk for developing breast cancer can change naturally due to aging and by making certain changes in habits and daily practices.
According to the American Cancer Society there are several factors that can affect a woman’s breast cancer risks including:
- Having children after age 30 (shown to increase the risk of breast cancer in some cases).
- Birth Control (oral and injectable contraceptives stand out in studies as contributors to breast cancer).
- Alcohol consumption (the more consumed, the higher the risk).
- Weight (women who carry extra pounds have a higher risk for developing breast cancer, primarily due to the higher insulin levels that accompany obesity).
- Smoking (evidence suggests a link between smoking and breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women).
Known factors that lower risk
Researchers continue to pursue the link between diet and breast cancer risk and many studies indicate that diet does play a role. More and more studies cast a wary eye towards red meat consumption, and there is an increased risk associated with high-fat diets, which perpetuates weight gain and obesity (a known breast cancer risk factor).
There may be sure way to prevent breast cancer as of yet, but there are things we can do to help lower the risk. A short list of actions includes;
- Breast Feeding – for women who breast feed for 1.5 to 2 years studies suggest that there may be some benefit in reducing breast cancer risk.
- Physical Activity – a growing body of evidence indicates that a person’s risk of developing almost any cancer, particularly breast cancer is reduced by adopting a daily routine of physical activity. For example, as little as 1.25 hours of moderate physical activity per week may reduce the risk by up to 18 percent according to some studies.
- Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy — combination hormone therapy for more than five years is known to increase the risk of breast cancer. If you and your healthcare provider decide that the benefits of short-term hormone therapy outweigh the risks, use the lowest dose possible.
How OB/GYN providers can help
Self-check breast exams are easy to perform in the home and should be conducted monthly in addition to annual breast exams with a physician. Depending on a patient’s age and individual health, a physician may recommend a more frequent interval of regular check-ups with a health care provider. And of course, if you suspect a breast health problem contact a provider immediately.
Breast Density and Breast Cancer Screening Q & A
What is breast density?
Breasts are made up of fibrous, glandular and fatty tissue. Dense breasts have a lot of fibrous or glandular tissue and less fatty tissue. Breast density may change over time and is not related to how hard or soft breasts feel during a physical exam.
Why is breast density important?
Dense breasts are more difficult to screen with a mammogram. Dense breast tissue appears white on mammograms but so do many lumps, both cancerous and benign. This means abnormalities can “hide” within the image of the tissue. Some research shows that women with dense breast tissue may have a higher chance of getting breast cancer.
How do I know if I have dense breasts?
A radiologist reviewing your mammogram will assign a breast density score from 1 to 4. Your mammogram results will say if you have dense breasts.
Score 1: Mostly fatty
Score 2: Scattered fibroglandular density
Score 3: Dense in some areas
Score 4: Extremely dense
If I have dense breasts, do I still need a mammogram?
Yes. A mammogram is the only medical imaging screening proven to reduce deaths from breast cancer. Most cancers are seen on mammograms, including in women with dense breasts. Nine in 10 women with early stage breast cancer can be cured with proper treatment. Regardless of breast density, Sutter Health recommends all women age 40 and older discuss with their doctor when they should start having routine mammograms.
Are there other tests besides a mammogram to check for cancer?
Several other tests may help find cancers that are not seen on mammograms: ultrasound, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tomosynthesis. For women who have risk factors for breast cancer in addition to dense breasts, any of these three tests may be useful.
Additional imaging beyond mammography has not been proven to find cancers at an earlier stage or to prevent breast cancer deaths. Women with additional risk factors for breast cancer may benefit from additional imaging studies. Talk with your doctor about your risks and the next steps that are right for you.
What should I do?
Regardless of breast density, Sutter Health recommends all women age 40 and older should discuss with their doctor when to start having routine mammograms, and then follow those recommendations. Women with additional risk factors or concerns should talk with their doctor. Together, you can determine if other screening tests are right for you. Availability of tests may vary.
How can I lower my chances of getting breast cancer?
Do — exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and maintain a normal weight
Don’t — smoke or drink more than one alcoholic beverage each day (on average)
— This question and answer patient information was created and approved by the Sutter Health Diagnostic Imaging Oversight Committee
