Breast Cancer Awareness

We, like you, are typically multitasking and constantly on-the-go. However, in an effort to Think Pink during October for Breast Cancer Awareness, we want to slow down and take time for our health.

According to the American Cancer Society, in 2015 there will be more than 231,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed amongst women in the Unites States. So far, the best way to combat breast cancer is with early detection, which is why routine breast self-exams, annual check-ups and mammograms are critical.

Here are some terms we should all commit to memory:

Self-Exam: Learn how to perform regular self-exams. While some cancers are too tiny to feel, and most lumps are not cancer, self-exams are a proactive way to help take care of yourself.

Clinical Exam: A clinical exam is a breast exam performed by a health care professional. It’s a basic part of women’s check-ups, starting at age 20.

Mammogram: This is a special type of X-ray taken to look for abnormal growths or changes in breast tissue. It’s a key tool in breast cancer detection, though no test is perfect.

Ultrasound: Doctors sometimes use ultrasound images to determine more details of a lump.

MRI: MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging and is often used to detect breast cancer.

Biopsy: When doctors perform a biopsy, they remove cells from a suspicious mass to see if it’s cancer.

Breast Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction is a series of surgical procedures performed to recreate a breast. Reconstructions are commonly done after one or both breasts are removed as a treatment for breast cancer. Advanced options for breast reconstruction in Scottsdale can be a great decision for breast cancer survivors.

It is important to be proactive and help spread information on breast cancer awareness. If you have any medical concerns, you should talk to a trusted health professional.