Wellness Watch is a health information and advice column from OhioHealth.
ATHENS, Ohio –– Many people associate October with changing leaves, apple orchards and pumpkin spice lattes. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Brittany Jarvis, MHA, BSN, RN with OhioHealth Cancer Care Athens hopes you’ll include learning more about the topic of breast health as part of your fall traditions.
Regular screening saves lives
Breast cancer can be asymptomatic, Jarvis said, meaning a person may not have a noticeable lump or change in their breast that would prompt them to seek treatment.
“Screening is important for early detection—when a tumor is small and treatable,” said Jarvis. “Women should start annual screenings by age 40 unless they have discussed with their provider a need to do so sooner, based on their individual risk.”
Thirteen percent of women will get a diagnosis of an aggressive breast cancer at some point in their lives. Luckily, discovering localized disease — where cancer has not spread to another part of the body — is much more common, and typically has a significantly better prognosis.
“Treatment is more likely to be successful and less complicated in this stage,” Jarvis said.
You can reduce your risk
Lifestyle changes can decrease the risk for breast cancer, Jarvis said, including
- Increasing physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Avoiding excessive alcohol intake
- Living a smoke-free lifestyle
Many treatments exist
Treatment for breast cancer is not one-size-fits-all. The disease affects everyone differently and what worked for a friend or family member may not be the best route for your recovery.
“It is important to know that the treatment for breast cancer is specific to the type of cancer and can look very different from person to person,” said Jarvis.
Treatment options include
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Other systematic drug therapies
- Hormone therapies
- Targeted drug therapy
- Immunotherapy
Providers work with patients to find the method that works best for their individual situations. Jarvis noted that those with a breast cancer diagnosis do not have to go far — most of these treatments are available locally through OhioHealth.
There’s more to treatment than medicine
OhioHealth assists patients through all stages of breast cancer, not just during active treatment.
“We are making great efforts to continue caring for patients through survivorship — helping to address their ongoing physical, psychosocial, and functional needs,” said Jarvis. “Survivorship clinics educate women and encourage healthy behaviors to optimize their wellness long-term.”
The best defense is a good offense
“It is important to not wait until there is a breast cancer diagnosis.” said Jarvis. “Ensuring you receive regular screenings, arming yourself with more knowledge and living a healthy lifestyle are ways you can both reduce your risk and lessen stress you may feel around this complicated and sometimes frightening topic.”
