Breast Health

What every woman should know about the early detection of breast cancer.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 09/24/2009 Unlike diseases such as lung cancer, which is usually associated with smoking, there is no single cause on which to focus breast cancer prevention efforts, says Young C. Kim, MD, a radiologist at Southwest General’s Breast Center. With breast cancer, Dr. Kim emphasizes that early detection is key to survival.

“With lung cancer, at least we know a way to reduce the risk,” he explains. “With breast cancer, you never know. In terms of lifestyle changes to prevent it, we have nothing specifically to key in on. There has been a lot of discussion that diet, exercise and stress may be factors, but they have not been proven factors.”

Meanwhile, although not considered factors that cause breast cancer, some other things are thought to interfere with the diagnosis of breast cancer, Dr. Kim says.

“There has been some discussion that birth control pills may impact the normal tissue of the breast, and there has been discussion that caffeine and chocolate may make tumor detection by mammogram more difficult,” Dr. Kim says.

With early detection being essential, Dr. Kim recommends regular breast self examinations, annual clinical breast examinations and mammograms beginning around the age of 40—or earlier if there is a family history of breast cancer.

“At home, women should do regular self examinations while showering or in front of the mirror,” Dr. Kim says.
“Your physician can show you the proper procedures and what to look for in a self-exam. You also should have an annual visit to your OB/GYN for a professional clinical exam. But, if you find something unusual—such as pain, tenderness, lumps or discharge from the nipple—don’t wait for your annual visit. Schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN right away. Most often it isn’t cancer, but it is always better to check to be sure.”

Dr. Kim says it isn’t generally recommended that women begin having annual mammograms before their mid-30s.

The breast density in younger women makes it more difficult to detect tumors on a mammogram. But for younger women with family histories of breast cancer, digital mammograms are better able to detect abnormalities in dense breast tissue.

“A dense breast is the enemy of cancer detection,” Dr. Kim says.

To provide quality care to patients, Southwest General recently installed two new digital mammography units and is the only hospital in the southwest suburbs that offers digital mammography.

Digital mammography allows breast images to go immediately into a computer where they can be enhanced and read by the radiologist. This technology provides improved images, including reduced artifacts that may appear as micro-calcifications. It also reduces radiation exposure for the patient.

Although digital imaging doesn’t change the examination process—breast compression is still necessary—it does make the process quicker and more convenient for patients.

There are two basic types of mammograms, Dr. Kim explains: screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms.

The annual screening mammogram reveals changes that may have occurred in the breast since the previous mammogram was performed. A woman’s first screening mammogram is used as a baseline from which to compare subsequent mammograms. A mammogram can reveal changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.

Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate a patient after a screening mammogram reveals something unusual.

“After a diagnostic mammogram, we may recommend an ultrasound, an MRI or a biopsy for further diagnosis,” Dr. Kim says. “Those are the ways that we can detect it early enough to cure.  When cancer is detected in Stage one, the patient has a 90 percent rate of survival. If the detection isn’t made until Stage two or three, the survival rate drops to 60 percent.”

In Scandinavian countries, 90 percent of women have annual screening mammograms done. In the U.S., only about 60 percent of women have annual screenings, Dr. Kim laments.

“Women have to take responsibility for their health,” he stresses. “Breast cancer is a killing disease, but we can handle it when it is detected early.”

To learn more about Breast Cancer prevention and screening, visit www.swgeneral.com, or call Health Connection at 440-816-5050.

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