Breast Cancer Awareness Month Hits Home for Heartland
For some, Breast Cancer Awareness Month might be an excuse to wear pink. However, for many people, October is a reminder of their own personal experience with Breast Cancer and a rally cry to educate the public on the importance of breast exams/mammograms; And for Vera Schulz and Shelly Borland, staff at Heartland Community Health Center, this month couldn’t hit closer to home.
Vera and Shelly are both survivors who are passionate about giving people the information they need to detect breast cancer early.
“I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer a couple months after I turned 40. I actually found the lump when I was lying in bed. I just rolled over and felt something different,” said Shelly Borland. “A month later I went in for my annual appointment and asked them to go ahead and give me a breast exam…within two weeks I was in full blown chemotherapy.”
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, adults of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams once a month. While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-exams help you to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there are any changes.
“Although most expert groups do not advise breast self-exams, I think it is important to at least familiarize yourself with your “normal” breast tissue,” said Lisa Russell, Chief Clinical Officer at Heartland Community Health Center. “This way, if you feel anything new or different, you can consult your primary care provider. Those at higher risk (personal or family history of breast ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer, ancestry such as Ashkenazi Jewish, BRCA mutation) should have annual clinical breast exams and regular self-exams.”
Vera Schulz was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42. Unlike Shelly, Vera did not have any symptoms before her breast cancer was diagnosed.
“I did monthly breast exams, but I couldn’t feel anything because my cancer was a ductal cancer,” Schulz said. “It’s really important to get those mammograms, plus those monthly breast exams and yearly exams with your doctor, because sometimes you can’t feel it. Who knows where I would be if I wouldn’t have had a mammogram.”
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. For many, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer.
“Mammography starts for most women at age 40 or 50,” said Russell. “If you are average-risk, the decision to start screening at age 40 should be made between you and your Primary Care Provider (PCP) and the discussion should include benefits, risks and potential harms and take into account values and preferences. Mammography every 1-2 years should be performed in average risk 50-74 year-olds.”
Heartland participates in the Early Detection Works program, which provides free and low-cost mammograms and other services for those who qualify. The goal of the Early Detection Works program is to reduce death from breast and cervical cancer. The Early Detection Works Program (EDW) offers:
- Clinical breast exam by a clinician
- Mammogram, including 3D mammography
- Pap test
- HPV test
If you are unsure of your risk of Breast Cancer or when to get a mammogram, speak to your PCP about your personal and family history/ancestry. You may be a candidate for genetic counseling and/or testing, and potentially increased surveillance.
“My mother and grandmother both had breast cancer at a younger age. Because of their history and our genetic testing results, I participate in a high-risk screening program,” said Russell. “I am so glad that this option exists today, and I feel reassured that I am doing everything I can to catch breast cancer early when it is highly treatable.”
Information about Early Detection Works is available at Heartland Community Health Center. You can also learn more about the program by contacting the program directly at 877-277-1368.
Sometimes breast cancer has no symptoms – not even a lump. Screening is important.
“I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer a couple months after I turned 40. I actually found the lump when I was lying in bed. I just rolled over and felt something different. A month later I went in for my annual appointment and asked them to go ahead and give me a breast exam…within two weeks I was in full blown chemotherapy.”
– Shelly Borland
Heartland participates in the Early Detection Works program, which provides free and low-cost mammograms and other services for those who qualify.
“I did monthly breast exams, but I couldn’t feel anything because my cancer was a ductal cancer. It’s really important to get those mammograms, plus those monthly breast exams and yearly exams with your doctor, because sometimes you can’t feel it. Who knows where I would be if I wouldn’t have had a mammogram.”
– Vera Schulz
