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Breast Cancer Awareness Month Blog Post

Keeping Up with Your Breast Care

 

Dr. Manila Sharma, Blog photoBy Manila Sharma, MD
Internal Medicine Physician

As an internist who treats women of all ages, from young adults to seniors, Dr. Sharma frequently answers her patients’ questions about breast care.  

What is the most important information we should know about our breasts?

Every woman should know what her breasts feel like. If you notice lumps or other changes you should discuss them with your physician. Your doctor will guide you as to the next step. Men can get breast cancer, too, so it is important for a man to know his breasts as well.

Breast self-exams or clinical breast exams have little role in detecting cancer compared to imaging studies, such as a mammogram to ultrasound test. But, it is good to know how your breasts feel at different times of the month. Breasts can feel lumpy during your period because of extra fluid and cells.

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass, although most breast lumps are not cancer. Other possible symptoms include:

  • Swelling of all or part of a breast, even if no lump is felt
  • Skin dimpling, (sometimes looking like an orange peel)
  • Breast or nipple pain
  • Nipple retraction (turning inward)
  • Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaking, or thickened
  • Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
  • Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone (sometimes this can be a sign of breast cancer spread even before the original tumor in the breast is large enough to be felt)

What are dense breasts? Do they put me at more of a risk for cancer?

Almost half of all women have dense breasts. Dense breast tissue has more tissue in the milk glands, milk ducts, and in the supportive tissue than fatty breast tissue, which is mostly made up of fat cells and glandular tissue. Fatty breast tissue appears dark and translucent on a mammogram, but dense breast tissue appears as white. This can make it more difficult for a radiologist to see cancerous tissue. If you have dense breasts you may have to have additional pictures taken or another imaging test, such as an ultrasound or MRI. Very dense breast tissue puts you at higher risk of developing cancer so your doctor may recommend an additional imaging test along with your mammogram every year.

When should I start having mammograms?

The American Cancer Society recommends that a woman of average risk (no personal or family history of breast cancer, no genetic mutation such as the BRCA 1 and 2 genes) have a first screening mammogram between the ages of 40 to 44, followed by yearly screening mammograms after age 45. If you have risk factors, such as a significant family history, screening may start as early as age 30. However, it is best to discuss your personal mammogram age of onset and schedule with your physician.

What are the risk factors for breast cancer? Are there any nutrition guidelines I can follow to reduce my risk?

Risk factors for breast cancer include: older age, family risk, genetics, ethnicity/race (more common in white women but more aggressive in black women) and being a woman, although men can get breast cancer. Obesity is one of the major and most important risk factors.

There are lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk, including stopping smoking, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, and eating a heathier diet. Boost your diet with whole fruits, fresh leafy vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Limit red meat (beef, pork, lamb) to no more than 8 ounces per week. Give up processed meats, such as salami, hot dogs, and bacon. Skip the sugary sodas and juices. So far, there has been no proof that vitamins or dietary supplements reduce your risk of breast cancer, so discuss these with your doctor before taking them.

Remember to discuss your personal breast care schedule with your primary care physician every year during your annual exam, and let your doctor know right away if there are any changes in your breasts.

To make an appointment with Dr. Shama, call Saint Michael’s Primary and Specialty Care Center at 973-877-5080.

Saint Michael’s Breast Center provides comprehensive mammography, imaging, supportive, and educational services. The center offers flexible appointments on weekdays and every other Saturday. To make an appointment for a mammogram, call 973-877-5189.