Breast cancer is deadly, but also preventable with high survival rate
Dr. Sue Mitra
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About 250,000 women each year get breast cancer, with 40,000 women dying from it.
Most breast cancers are typically found in women over 50 years of age, although they can also affect younger women.
Breast cancer, if diagnosed in its earliest stages, has a high survival rate.
It is the fifth leading cause of death amongst women over 40.
It is imperative to focus on early detection, risk factors, symptoms and healthy habits to help prevent breast cancer.
Monthly self-breast exams at a young age enable detection of any irregularity, such as a lump or nipple discharge.
All women should begin getting their mammograms once they turn 40, on an annual or bi-annual basis. Mammograms can pick up on breast cancer in its earliest stage, giving a doctor the best chance to diagnose breast cancer early.
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There are many common symptoms that many women experience when they have breast cancer warning signs.
New pain or lump in the breast or underarm, nipple discharge or inversion/eversion, dimpling of the skin overlying the breasts, or any change in breast size or shape are some of the warning signs.
Some factors can increase your risk of breast cancer, including being a woman, personal and family history of breast cancer, obesity, excessive alcohol intake, hormone therapy with estrogen and progesterone and increased radiation exposure.
Having a menstrual period before age 12, having your first baby after age 35 or having menopause after age 55 can increase the risk of breast cancer as well.
A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, exercising 30 minutes a day for five days a week, maintaining adequate body weight and abstaining from alcohol can improve the body’s chances of battling the disease.
Foods high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties such as salmon, cauliflower, tomatoes and broccoli have powerful cancer-fighting abilities.
If diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate of breast cancer is well above 90 percent. Women should invest a little bit of time every month for a quick self-breast examination to ensure their lives can continue as usual.
The mammography result is the starting point for all patients who receive a positive diagnosis.
Every step along the way is supported with superior medical technology aimed at finding the best solution for the affected individual.
Cancer screening techniques have not changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The procedures continue to be available and are done with strict infection prevention measures in place.
The virus should not cause a hindrance for anyone to get checked out, as breast cancer will not wait for life to return to normal.
Dr. Sue Mitra is accepting new patients and can be reached at 321-622-6222 or [email protected]. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Get checked, don’t wait! Call now to assess your breast cancer risk and discuss when to start scheduling your mammograms.
