The Importance of Breast Cancer Screening & Awareness

Lower Your Risk for Breast Cancer

TidalHealth is focused on providing much-needed screenings and education so we can save lives. 

Screening for Breast Cancer

Did You Know?

• 1 in 8 women develops breast cancer in their lifetime.
• Men can get breast cancer.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in United States women behind lung cancer.
• Early detection saves lives.

Are You Armed with the Right Information About Breast Cancer?

TidalHealth follows NCCN (National Cancer Comprehensive Network) guidelines for breast cancer screening. The NCCN guidelines for average risk women include the following recommendations: The NCCN guidelines for average risk women include the following recommendations:

• A clinical breast exam every 1-3 years from 25-39 years of age, then annually beginning at age 40.
• A woman should begin annual screening mammography at 40 years old.
• Consider tomosynthesis/three dimensional mammography (3-D). All screening mammograms at TidalHealth Breast Center are 3-D.

Women who are at high risk or who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should consider and discuss the following with their Primary Care Provider:

• Earlier initiation of mammography 
• Annual MRI 
• Genetic counseling and testing

Other considerations include the following: 

• There is no recommendation for an age at which women should stop having mammograms or clinical breast exams. You can consider your overall health status and discuss with your provider when it may be appropriate for you to stop screening.  
• You may want to discuss additional screening with your health care provider if you have ever been told you have dense breasts.

Regular Exams are Important

TidalHealth offers 3D mammography, also known as digital tomosynthesis, one of the most advanced imaging technologies available for the early detection of breast cancer. This technology uses lower radiation doses, less forceful compression and quicker exam times. 

Breast cancer impacts many women throughout the country, but if detected early, survival rates are about 90% or better. Regular mammograms are recommended for women 40 years of age and up by the American College of Radiology. Those with a family history of breast cancer may start earlier — 10 years before the age of diagnosis in a first-degree relative, such as a mother or sister. 

Breast Cancer Staging

Breast cancer staging is a way of describing the extent and severity of the disease based on various factors, including tumor size, lymph node involvement, and the presence of distant metastasis (spread to other parts of the body). Staging helps healthcare providers determine the most appropriate treatment plan and provides prognostic information. The staging system most commonly used for breast cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system. It includes the following components:

• T (Tumor): This part of the staging system describes the size and extent of the primary tumor. It is usually classified from 0 to 4, with higher numbers indicating larger tumor size or greater extent of involvement. For example, T0 means there is no evidence of a primary tumor, while T4 indicates a larger tumor or extensive involvement of the breast tissue.
• N (Nodes): This component describes whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that play a crucial role in the immune system. The N category is classified from 0 to 3, with higher numbers indicating a greater number of lymph nodes involved or more extensive lymph node involvement. For example, N0 means no regional lymph node involvement, while N3 indicates the presence of cancer in multiple lymph nodes or extensive lymph node involvement.
• M (Metastasis): This part of the staging system indicates whether the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. M0 means no distant metastasis, while M1 indicates the presence of distant metastasis, such as in the bones, lungs, liver, or other organs.

Once the T, N, and M categories are determined, they are combined to assign an overall stage, which is typically expressed as 0, I, II, III, or IV:

• Stage 0: This is known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), where abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct but have not invaded surrounding breast tissue.
• Stage I: The cancer is relatively small and confined to the breast tissue, with no lymph node involvement or distant metastasis.
• Stage II: This stage is divided into subcategories (IIA, IIB) based on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and other factors. Stage II indicates a larger tumor or limited lymph node involvement.
• Stage III: This stage is also divided into subcategories (IIIA, IIIB, IIIC) based on tumor size, extent of lymph node involvement, and other factors. It generally indicates more advanced disease.
• Stage IV: In stage IV, the cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues, indicating advanced metastatic disease.

Breast cancer staging is a critical factor in determining the appropriate treatment approach and predicting outcomes. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider who can provide a detailed assessment and staging of breast cancer to guide treatment decisions. Staging may involve imaging tests, biopsies, and other diagnostic procedures.

Are You at Risk for Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer risk factors can be divided into two main categories: non-modifiable (those you can't change) and modifiable (those you can potentially change or manage). Keep in mind that having one or more risk factors doesn't guarantee you'll develop breast cancer, and many people with breast cancer have no known risk factors. Conversely, some individuals with multiple risk factors never develop the disease. It's also important to note that the exact causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, but researchers have identified various risk factors associated with its development. Here are some of the key risk factors:

• Gender: Breast cancer is more common in women, but it can also occur in men. Women are at a significantly higher risk.
• Age: The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged 55 and older.
• Family History: Having a close blood relative (such as a mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer, especially if diagnosed at a young age, can increase your risk. The risk is even higher if multiple family members are affected.
• Inherited Gene Mutations: Certain genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. Genetic testing and counseling can help identify these mutations.
• Personal History: If you have previously had breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast conditions, your risk may be higher.
• Radiation Exposure: Prior exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation, particularly during childhood or adolescence, can increase the risk of breast cancer.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Long-term use of combined hormone replacement therapy, which includes both estrogen and progesterone, may increase the risk of breast cancer.
• Oral Contraceptives: Some studies suggest a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in women who have used certain types of birth control pills.
• Reproductive Factors: Delaying childbirth until later in life or never having children can slightly increase the risk. Likewise, having your first child at a younger age and breastfeeding may reduce the risk.
• Alcohol Consumption: Regular and excessive alcohol consumption has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese, especially after menopause, is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.
• Physical Activity: A sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of breast cancer. Engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce this risk.
• Diet: There is ongoing research on the relationship between diet and breast cancer risk. Some studies suggest that a diet high in saturated fats and low in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk.
• Smoking: Smoking is not a direct risk factor for breast cancer, but it may increase the risk of other cancers that can spread to the breast.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain environmental pollutants and chemicals may play a role in breast cancer development, although the exact links are still being studied.

It's important to note that you can reduce your risk of breast cancer by making lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, staying physically active, and discussing your risk factors and family history with your healthcare provider. Additionally, early detection through regular breast self-exams, clinical breast exams, and mammograms can greatly improve the chances of successful treatment if breast cancer is diagnosed.