Screening Guidelines

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years. According to the American Cancer Society, women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam at least once every three years and beginning at age 40, women should have a clinical breast exam and screening mammogram every year. Ultimately, women should talk to their doctor and make an informed decision about whether mammography is right for them based on their family history, general health, and personal values.

Risk Factors

According to the American Cancer Society, risk factors for breast cancer include:

FACTORS WE CANNOT CONTROL

The # 1 risk factor is being a woman and aging.  Your risk increases with age.

Family history, especially in a 1st degree relative (mother, sister, daughter).  Second degree relatives, especially in combination with other risk factors, may also increase your risk.

Personal history of breast cancer

Race and ethnicity – white women are more likely to develop breast cancer; African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer.

Having had a breast biopsy, especially one with atypical hyperplasia (a pre-cancerous condition that affects cells in the breast).

Only 5-10% of breast cancer is due to genetic factors.  Not only breast cancer but also ovarian cancer is a factor in the BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic mutation.  Discuss your family history with the Breast Health Nurse Coordinator at Lake Pointe Breast Center or your health care provider.

LIFESTYLE FACTORS

Having no children or your 1st child after age 30

Starting your menstrual period before age 12 or starting menopause after age 55.  This is due to a higher lifetime exposure to estrogen/progesterone.

Combined hormonal therapy after menopause increases your risk of breast cancer (discuss hormonal therapy with your health care provider).

Increased alcohol use increases your risk for breast cancer.

Obesity is a risk factor because estrogen is stored in fat tissue.

DECREASE YOUR RISK FACTORS

Physical activity decreases your risk of breast cancer

CONTROVERSIAL RISK FACTORS

Diet, smoking, and environmental factors may increase your risk for breast cancer and are still being studied.

Most importantly, discuss your individual risk factors with your healthcare provider.

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment

 If you would like to determine your risk for breast cancer, please click on the link below, print out the assessment, fully complete the assessment, and then fax the entire assessment to Terry Pothier, RN at 469-698-8551.  Terry will contact you to discuss the results of our Breast Cancer Risk Assessment.  You can also call Terry at 469-698-7824.

Breast Conditions

While more than 300,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year according to the American Cancer Society, there are also many other breast health concerns.

Breast Calcifications – are calcium deposits found within breast tissue.

Breast Cysts – Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs within the breast formed when normal milk glands enlarge.

Breast Lumps and Lumpy Breasts – Lumpy breasts describe the palpable texture of the breast in many women due to prominent normal milk glands, ducts and the fibrous tissue that surrounds these structures.

Breast Nipple Discharge

Breast Pain – Benign breast pain can affect as many as 50 to 70 percent of women in the U.S. and the premenstrual breast pain, also called fibrocystic condition, is not associated with an increased risk of  breast cancer.

Treatment Options Overview

Treatment for breast cancer is determined by your pathology, size of tumor and whether or not any lymph nodes or other metasis is involved.  Some instances do require chemotherapy to be done before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy).  There are MANY things that play in to what type of surgery/treatment you will require.  This is an overview of available options.

Physician Types

Surgeon – general surgeon or breast oncology surgeon will perform the appropriate breast surgery for you

Plastic Surgeon – will perform reconstruction when needed

Medical Oncologist – reviews pathology to determine further treatment or lack thereof.  Administers chemotherapy and other drugs such as targeted therapies.  All breast cancer patients should see a medical oncologist at least one time even if you do not have chemotherapy

Radiation Oncologist – administers radiation

Breast Radiologist – radiologist who is specially trained and dedicated in reading breast diagnostics such as mammograms, ultrasounds and breast MRI.  Also performs needle biopsies

Pathologist – looks at all tissues removed from your body, using a microscope, to determine the stage, grade and many other things about your cancer.

Anesthesiologist – will put you to sleep for surgery

Surgery Types

Breast Conserving Surgery – Lumpectomy – Partial  Mastectomy (requires radiation as well)

Single Mastectomy – Unilateral Mastectomy (Mastectomy can be done with reconstruction, delayed reconstruction or immediate reconstruction)

Double Mastectomy – Bilateral Mastectomy (Mastectomy can be done with reconstruction, delayed reconstruction or immediate reconstruction)

Phrophylactic Mastectomy (having a breast removed even thought it does not have cancer – one or both)

Sentinel Node Biopsy - Usually done at the time of breast surgery to determine whether cancer is in the nodes Requires a dye injection prior to surgery.  Usually done the same day or day before surgery by the surgeon or radiologist.

Radiation

Partial Breast Radiation – 2 times a day for 5 days – internal (limited to patients who qualify, based on age, tumor size and nodal involvement)

Traditional Radiation – external beam radiation – 1 time a day, 5 days/week, usually for 6 weeks

Chemotherapy

Can be IV or oral

Administered by a Medical Oncologist

Not all patients require chemotherapy

Even though you may not require chemotherapy, you should see amedical oncologist with your final pathology report to make the determination of any further treatment needs.

All of these providers are on staff at Lake Pointe Medical Center and available for referral.  If you require a referral to a physician on staff at Lake Pointe Medical Center, please call 1-866-525-LPMC (5762).