Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Fall 2018

8 VITALITY Fall 2018 Make a promise Don’t delay your next mammogram Here’s a pledge that’s well worth making: “I’ll call for an appointment to talk with my health care provider about breast cancer screening.” You might be too busy to get to it today. That’s OK. So how does tomorrow look? Why the urgency? When it comes to breast cancer, early detection offers women the best chance of surviving the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. There are some things that increase your risk for breast cancer, such as your age; having close relatives with the disease; having dense breasts; or not having children or having your first child after age 30. But having a risk factor doesn’t mean you’ll get the disease. That’s why talking with your provider is so important. You can discuss your personal risk and decide what’s best for you. Is your 40th birthday around the corner? If so, ask your provider about beginning regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer. If you’re overdue for a mammogram, schedule it as soon as possible. Advice for younger women Even if you’re in your 20s or 30s, you can take steps to help protect yourself. At any age, you should be familiar with how your breasts look and feel, and report any changes to your provider. As of yet, there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in this country. Even so, there are clear steps women can take to reduce their risk. And October, which is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is the ideal time to take them. One key safeguard is for women to maintain a healthy weight, especially in midlife and later. After menopause, most of the hormone estrogen in a woman’s body comes from fat cells. Estrogen can spur the growth of many breast tumors, and being overweight or obese can raise breast cancer risk. Women may be especially vulnerable to breast cancer if extra pounds settle on their waist, rather than their hips and thighs. These additional steps may help women reduce their risk for breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society: » » Avoid alcohol. Drinking is clearly tied to a heightened risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, your risk increases the more you drink. » » Be active. A growing body of research indicates that exercise WOMEN’S HEALTH October: A good time to consider breast health lowers breast cancer risk. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. » » Carefully weigh the pros and cons of hormone therapy. Hormone therapy that uses both estrogen and progesterone can increase breast cancer risk. The short-term use of estrogen alone after menopause does not seem to raise the risk of developing breast cancer, but only women without a uterus may take estrogen alone. If a woman and her doctor agree that hormone therapy is necessary to ease bothersome menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, it is best to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Since breast cancer can develop even with these precautions, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises women at average risk of breast cancer to have mammograms starting at age 40. Regular mammograms (breast X-rays) can detect cancer in its early stages and give women a head start on potentially lifesaving treatment. If you have a heightened risk of breast cancer, ask your doctor if you need additional screening tests, such as an MRI scan. Make an appointment Screening can bring peace of mind. To schedule an appointment for a mammogram at the CMH Breast Care Center, call 417-328-6261 .