Breast Health Awareness & Prevention
Empower Yourself With Knowledge
One of the best proactive measures you can take for your breast health is to empower yourself with knowledge. Knowing how your breasts look and feel and being informed about the symptoms of breast cancer enable you to notice changes that you may need to discuss with your physician. Being aware of your personal risk factors for breast cancer gives you the opportunity to talk to your physician about getting a mammogram and determining a screening plan tailored to you.
Know Your Breasts
Understanding how your breasts routinely feel and look is important so that if you detect any changes, you can discuss them with your physician.
Experts recommend that women focus on breast self-awareness. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel will help you identify changes that may be signs of breast cancer.
Know the Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer symptoms can vary widely. Some symptoms to notice include:
Breast lumps or masses
Breast pain
Breast infection
Dimples in the breast
Swelling or redness of part of the breast
Breast and nipple skin changes such as nipples turning inward, nipples pulling to one side or skin scaliness
Nipple discharge other than breast milk
If you experience breast cancer symptoms, contact your physician to discuss further.
Know Your Risk
The more you understand your potential risk based on many factors, the more you empower yourself to take proactive steps to prevent cancer or detect it early. Age, race, family history, genetics, lifestyle, breast density, obstetric and menstrual history, and hormone therapy use are among the risk factors that can play a part in your individual risk for breast cancer.
Take action if you are at high risk for breast cancer. Hoag offers comprehensive solutions to help women become aware of their risks and take action. The Hoag Early Risk Assessment (HERA) Program provides women with their risk of developing breast cancer based on a personalized assessment. Hoag also offers programs specifically for women who have an elevated risk for breast cancer. Learn more about the Hoag Breast & Ovarian Cancer Prevention (HBOC) Program.
Breast changes are common. Speak with your primary care physician or OB/GYN if you notice any of the following changes:
Masses and lumps that are new or not “your normal” (lumps can be common in women)
Skin changes such as dimpling, unusual warmth or color changes (redness or darkening)
Nipple discharge or new nipple retraction chronic nipple retraction can be normal but new nipple changes should be investigated with your doctor
Swelling
Unusual appearance of any part of your breast, including nipple
Chronic pain in an isolated area of your breast
Mammograms
Annual mammograms starting at the age of 40 are recommended as the standard of care to detect breast cancer as soon as possible. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American College of Radiology and Hoag Breast Program all recommend mammograms starting at age 40. Speak with your physician about a plan that is right for you based on your history and risk factors. Hoag offers quick and easy scheduling and seven imaging locations throughout Orange County. Schedule your mammogram today.
Patient FAQ
Breast tissue can be either dense or not dense. Dense breast tissue is very common and not abnormal. It means there is more fibrous or glandular tissue than fat in the breast. Dense tissue can make it harder for doctors to see cancer on a mammogram and also slightly increases the risk of breast cancer.
Yes. Mammograms remain the most important screening test and the only one proven to reduce deaths from breast cancer. Everyone should continue to get their mammogram as recommended, even if they have dense breasts.
Some women with dense breasts may choose to have an additional test, such as:
• Breast Ultrasound – Uses sound waves to look for cancers that may not appear on a mammogram.
• Breast MRI – Uses magnets and contrast dye to look for cancers with greater sensitivity. MRI is usually recommended for women at high risk, but can sometimes be considered in women with dense breasts.
No. These tests are meant to supplement mammograms, not replace them. In fact, some breast cancers are only visible on mammograms. Each test has strengths and limitations, like a spoon, knife, and fork.
• Benefits: May find cancers that mammograms miss. • Downsides: May lead to extra follow-up imaging or biopsies that turn out not to be cancer, and may result in added cost.
Insurance coverage for breast ultrasound and breast MRI varies by plan. Some insurers cover these exams; others may not. It’s best to call your insurance provider directly to confirm coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs.
If you would like to pursue additional screening, please obtain an order from your doctor. If you need assistance, you may call the Hoag Breast Center at (949) 764-5780.
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