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

Trenton, 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.

"Discussing your risk factors with your doctor is essential," said Khannah Smith, M.D., a physician at Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group. "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. Most breast cancers in the United States are diagnosed 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 awareness is at an all-time high in the US, which has undoubtedly contributed to saving lives,” Dr. Smith stated. “Advances in technology, including 3-D mammography, have played a significant role in facilitating earlier diagnoses. This earlier detection, combined with improved treatment options, has led to a continued decline in breast cancer death rates.”

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, Wright Memorial Hospital provides an Oncology Nurse Navigator program, free of charge, to help navigate the process.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have an Oncology Nurse Navigator program available at Wright Memorial Hospital," said Dr. Smith. "Many smaller community hospitals cannot offer such a service free of charge. The nurse navigator assists patients in scheduling testing and genetic counseling, provides free classes on nutrition and beauty tips, and offers various other services that help make coping with a cancer diagnosis more manageable."

To schedule an annual screening at Wright Memorial Hospital, call 660-358-5818 or schedule online here.