North Country Health Nuggets

North Country Health Nuggets

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year.  Overall, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%.

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. It can start in one or both breasts.  Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control.  Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get breast cancer, too.  Any breast lump or change needs to be checked by a health care professional to find out if it is benign or malignant (cancer) and if it might affect your future cancer risk. 

We don't know what causes each case of breast cancer. We do know that normal breast cells can become cancer because of changes or mutations in genes. Hormones also seem to play a role in many cases of breast cancer, but just how this happens is not fully understood.  Certain inherited gene changes can greatly increase the risk for developing certain cancers and are linked to many of the cancers that run in some families. 

Great strides have been made in early detection of breast cancer. Finding breast cancer early means that it is often smaller and less likely to have spread.  That makes it easier to treat successfully. 

Breast self-exam is something you can do yourself.  If you’ve never been instructed on how to do this, there are many websites with information, such as the American Cancer Society site.  Many women have identified changes in their breast tissue during self-exam. 

Mammograms are low-dose x-rays that can help find breast cancer early.  There are guidelines for when to start this screening, but your primary care provider may recommend a different schedule for you based on your health history and your family’s health history.  Current recommendations for screening mammograms:

• Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
• Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.

Your primary care provider and likely the office where the mammogram was done will notify you of the results and any follow up needed.

Mammograms save lives! 

What Is Breast Cancer? | American Cancer Society

Breast Cancer in Men | Male Breast Cancer | American Cancer Society

Submitted by: North Country Community Health Services and Beltrami County Community Health Services- www.ncchb.org or www.co.beltrami.mn.us/services/public-health/ or find us on Facebook-North Country Community Health Services

(Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard and Lake of the Woods Public Health)