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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

  • Published
  • 92nd Medical Group
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  For more than 20 years National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has helped focus national attention on breast cancer and the importance of early detection and treatment.

According to the Centers for Disease Control in 2003, 181,646 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 41,619 women died from the disease. The good news today is, if detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 95 percent. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million American women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram. Team Fairchild has a process in place to help prevent you from being one of these statistics.

Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells, specifically in the breast tissue, grow out of control. Symptoms may or may not be present and can include the following: lump in the breast or underarm, thickening or swelling in part of the breast, irritation or dimpling of the breast skin, redness or flaky skin in the nipple or breast area, pulling in of the nipple, nipple discharge other than breast milk, a change in the size or shape of a breast, and pain in the nipple or breast. Although these symptoms can occur with conditions that are not cancer, women with any of these signs should seek medical care as soon as possible.

Breast cancer screening is important since cancer can be identified before any signs or symptoms appear. Treatment for breast cancer is more likely to work well when the disease is found in the early stage. There are three main tests used to screen for breast cancer: mammogram, clinical breast exam by a healthcare provider and self breast exam. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast and is recommended every one to two years for women 40 years and older.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, it is the best method to detect breast cancer early and has been found to lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you choose to have clinical breast exams or to perform breast self-exams, be sure you also get regular mammograms.

The clinic offers a self-request mammogram program. If it has been at least one year since your previous mammogram, you can contact Diagnostic Imaging directly at 247-2617 to schedule your mammogram. All TRICARE Prime or Plus-enrolled women aged 40 years and older assigned to the 92nd Medical Group are eligible for this program. If you have any of the following concerns or conditions, you will be assisted to schedule a provider appointment prior to your mammogram appointment: new breast lump or breast changes, presence or breast implants, history of breast cancer, any breast surgery or procedures since your last mammogram, or if you are currently pregnant or nursing.

If you are a TRICARE Prime beneficiary over 40, you are entitled to an absolutely free to you screening mammogram once a year. Better yet, schedule your annual Pap, breast exam and your mammogram for the same day, stop by immunizations and get your shots updated while you are here taking care of all of your preventive health needs in one visit. Our DI and Women's Health departments stand ready to make your appointment, usually within two weeks or less. Call them directly today at 247-2617 for DI and 247-2361 for WH.