Weekly Health Minute: Fall into Good Breast Health

It's time for the Health Minute on WGTS ninety one point nine where Jerry and Summer. This month, everywhere you look, I've seen it on license plates, police badges, flags, you probably see pink. It's because it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Which I mean only makes sense. You know that one in eight women are going to develop breast cancer in their lifetime. So we are actually being joined today by Doctor Courtney Ackerman. She's a medical oncologist at White Oak Cancer Center to help us better understand breast cancer, learn how we can protect our health. So first things first, Doctor Ackerman, what exactly is breast cancer?

So breast cancer is a disease that causes abnormal cell growth in the breast and forms a tumor. It is often felt as a lump in the breast or seen by a mammogram. I also think it's important to remember that not every lump is breast cancer. Lumps can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as hormonal variation, early pregnancy, fibrocystic changes or cysts, normal tissue that can feel lumpy like milk glands or fatty tissue. While not every lump is breast cancer, it is important to talk to your medical provider when you feel a change in your breasts.

And Doctor Ackerman, are there symptoms, Tell us symptoms of breast cancer?

So the symptoms for breast cancer can vary for each person, but the most common symptoms include any new lumps or painless swelling. Other symptoms you may also experience can include breast abscess, change in breast shape or skin, cysts or lumps that may feel tender, discharge that is not caused by breastfeeding, breast pain that is mild in the same spot and constant.

So what are the risk factors that are going to determine if someone might get it?

Breast cancer can develop for numerous reasons, but the most common causes are age and gender. Most breast cancers occur in women over the age of forty with no family history. Other factors that can contribute to your risk of developing breast cancer are a genetic mutation such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, having one or more first degree relatives with premenopausal breast cancer, unhealthy diet or lack of exercise, and extended hormone exposure due to early menstrual periods or delayed menopause.

Okay. Are there ways that I can reduce my risk of developing breast cancer in the first place?

Taking care of your breast health doesn't have to be overwhelming. There are simple habits that can help reduce your risk of breast cancer and support your overall wellness. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, avoid alcoholic beverages, Talk to your Doctor about family history.

Breastfeed your children if possible, and schedule regular mammograms and clinical breast exams.

In addition, being familiar with how your breasts look and feel can make it easier to notice symptoms such as lumps, pain, or other changes in the breast that could be reason for concern. Conducting a self breast exam can help detect these sorts of changes that should be reported to your Doctor. If you have any signs that worry you, call your Doctor.

Thanks Doctor Ackerman, for that information. If you want to hear any of this again and other Health Minutes, they're all up on our website. That's at wgts91.9.com.

And as always, a big thanks to Adventist HealthCare for sponsoring today's Health Minute.