Patients First Health Care Promotes Education and Early Detection for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
WASHINGTON, MO, Sept. 27, 2011 - This is the 27th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Patients First Health Care is encouraging women to take charge of their own breast health by practicing regular self exams and scheduling their annual well-checks and mammograms. During the month of October, a free gift and general wellness card will be provided to every woman who receives a mammogram at the Patients First Diagnostic Center in Washington.
“Patients should call their gynecologist or primary care physician to schedule their breast exam in the office as well as their mammogram,” said Dr. Christiane Korba, gynecologist at Patients First Health Care. “Early detection is the key to saving lives.”
Patients First Health Care offers patient education to help take away fear or misconceptions concerning breast cancer screening. The goal of breast cancer screening is to find cancer early, before it has a chance to grow, spread or cause problems. Studies show that being screened for breast cancer lowers the chance that a woman will die of the disease.
What is breast cancer screening?— Breast cancer screening is a way in which doctors check the breasts for early signs of cancer in women who have no symptoms of breast cancer. The main test used to screen for breast cancer is a mammogram. This is usually combined with regular breast exams done by the doctor or nurse.
Who should be screened for breast cancer?— Patients First Health Care follows the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, which recommend annual clinical breast exams and annual mammograms after the age of 40. Women who are at high risk of breast cancer sometimes need to begin screening at a young age. This might include women who:
- · Carry genes that increase their risk of breast cancer, such as the “BRCA” genes
- · Have close relatives who got breast cancer at a young age
What are the benefits of being screened for breast cancer?— The main benefit of screening is that it helps doctors find cancer early, when it is easier to treat. This lowers the chances of dying of breast cancer.
If patients have any questions regarding this information, they are encouraged to speak with their doctor.