Hedrick Physician Encourages Screening during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October

Chillicothe, Mo.  — October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A recent study showed that breast cancer rates in women under the age of 50 are increasing. And, according to the National Cancer Institute, about 40% of women have dense breast tissue, which makes it more difficult to find breast cancer early.

The FDA implemented a new requirement for mammography facilities to notify patients of their breast density. Saint Luke’s has been providing this information to patients long before this new requirement because women with dense breast tissue need to know their options.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, outside of skin cancers. About 1 in 8 (13%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.

"Knowing if you have dense breast tissue and discussing your risk factors with your doctor is crucial for shared decision-making on the appropriate age and frequency of screening tests, such as 3-D mammography or Fast Breast MRI," said Krista Clark, D.O., a physician at Hedrick Family Care. "This is particularly important because most breast cancers in the United States are detected through abnormal screening results."

The American Cancer Society's estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2024 are:

• About 313,510 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
• About 42,780 women will die from breast cancer.
• The breast cancer death rate has dropped by 44% since 1989 because of advances in treatment and earlier detection, resulting in approximately 517,900 averted breast cancer deaths.

"Breast cancer death rates continue to drop, which is encouraging," said Clark. "Advances in technology, including 3-D mammography, have significantly improved early diagnosis, and treatment options have also progressed in recent years. Moreover, increased awareness is having a tremendous impact on saving lives."

Knowing personal risk factors can help a woman and her doctor plan a course of action that may reduce her chances of developing the disease or detect it in its earliest, most treatable stages.

The most common risk factors:

• Sex. The highest risk factor for breast cancer is being female; the disease is about 100 times more common among women.
• Age. The risk of breast cancer increases as a woman grows older. The risk is especially high for women age 60 and older. Breast cancer is uncommon in women younger than age 35, although it does occur. There is some evidence to suggest young African-American women are at greater risk for breast cancer than young Caucasian women.
• Personal History. Women who have had breast cancer and women with a history of breast disease (not cancer, but a condition that may predispose them to cancer) may develop it again.
• Family History. The risk of developing breast cancer increases for a woman whose mother, sister, daughter, or two or more close relatives have had the disease. It is important to know how old they were at the time they were diagnosed.
• The Breast Cancer Genes. Some individuals, both women and men, may be born with an “alteration” (or change) in one of two genes that are important for regulating breast cell growth. Individuals who inherit an alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are at an “inherited” higher risk for breast cancer. They also may pass this alteration on to their children. It is very rare. Scientists estimate that only about 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancers are due to genetic changes. One out of two women with these changes is likely to develop breast cancer. Women with a family history of breast cancer are encouraged to speak to a genetics counselor to determine the pros and cons of genetic testing.

When individuals are diagnosed with breast cancer, Hedrick Medical Center provides an Oncology Nurse Navigator, free of charge, to help navigate the process.

"At Hedrick, we are fortunate to have a nurse navigator who helps coordinate patient care," said Clark. "She offers many services that make managing a cancer diagnosis easier, including scheduling tests and genetic counseling, as well as providing free classes on nutrition and beauty tips for cancer patients."

To schedule an annual screening at Hedrick Medical Center, call 660-646-5522 or schedule online here.