Breast
Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women. In fact, one
out of every eight American women will develop breast cancer sometime in
her lifetime. The good news is that when breast cancer is detected early
and treated promptly, there's an excellent chance it can be cured. Contact
your doctor if you experience any of the warning signs, regardless of your
age.
The Pearlman Cancer Center and SGMC's Community Health Promotion
Department offer a Breast Cancer Screening each October in conjunction
with Breast Cancer Awareness month. Qualifying women are offered a free
mammogram through a partnership between the Pearlman Cancer Center and the
South Health District. For more information call SGMC's Community Health
Promotion Department at (229) 259-4141 ext. 1.
Risk
Factors
Warning Signs
Screening Recommendations
High-Risk
Factors for Breast Cancer
Women over the age of 50
Family history of breast cancer
Personal history of breast cancer in one breast
Women who have never had children
Women who had their first child after age 30
Women who have never breast fed
Women over 40 percent of their ideal weight
Women who reached menopause late
Women whose first menstruation came at an early age
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Breast Cancer's
Warning Signs
Lump or mass in breast(s)
Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit(s)
Nipple symptoms: bleeding or discharge,
retraction, elevation, eczema
Skin symptoms: dimpling, redness, edema (swelling), ulceration
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Screening Recommendations
Monthly breast self-examination beginning at age
20
Clinical breast exam every three years from age
20 to 39
Annual mammograms and clinical breast exams
beginning at age 40
Try to have your clinical breast exam near the time of regularly
scheduled mammogram. It is important that if abnormalities are felt at
the time of your physical the findings can be communicated to the team
performing and reading your mammogram.
If you have a strong family history of breast
cancer, your physician may want to start mammograms at an earlier age.
If you go to a new mammography facility, and have had a mammogram
before, bring prior films that the doctor can use to compare.
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2501 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA 31602
