September 28, 2009
October is Think Pink month at Avera McKennan
SIOUX FALLS (Sept. 28, 2009) - No one wants - and very few expect - to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer. And yet because one in eight women will have breast cancer, breast health is a vital part of each woman's life journey.
"I never would have imagined I had breast cancer," said breast cancer survivor Kristie Schreck. Kristie's cancer was diagnosed on her very first screening mammogram. She could feel no lump, pain or symptoms. Yet Kelli Timmer, diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31, felt her cancer in a self-breast exam. "You're never too young to begin doing self-breast exams," Kelli said. "And if you feel something, trust your instincts, and don't second guess yourself. Get it checked out."
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Think Pink month at Avera McKennan to remind women of breast health guidelines.
"Women should be proactive when it comes to their own health. They should talk to their physician about their breast cancer risk, know their family history, and most importantly, follow recommended screening guidelines," said Dr. Amy Krie, oncologist with a special interest in breast cancer at the Avera Cancer Institute.
American Cancer Society recommendations include:
-Annual clinical breast exams for all women
-Monthly self-breast exams for all women
-Annual mammograms for women age 40 and older, or women with a family history or other risk factors.
A Pampering and Prevention Celebration at the Avera Breast Center on Saturday, October 3, will kick off Think Pink month, and help women celebrate the importance of their own health.
Women are invited to come from 8 a.m. to noon to the Avera Breast Center in Avera Doctors Plaza 2 at 1100 E. 21st St. Screening mammograms will be available throughout the morning, along with mini-education sessions on topics of interest, vendor booths, mini-exercise forums and refreshments. Participants can register to win fabulous prizes, such as a strand of cultured pearls and a pink cashmere cape.
To schedule your mammogram at the event and/or register, visit www.AveraThinkPink.org, or call 1-877-AT-AVERA (1-877-282-8372).
The Avera Breast Center provides comprehensive care for all phases of breast health, from education, prevention and screening to diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
All women who meet screening guidelines receive the latest technology in digital mammography at Avera. "Digital mammography is the best general screening test we have," said Dr. Josie Alpers, board certified radiologist and director of mammography at Avera McKennan. The Avera Breast Center was first in the region to offer full-field digital mammography, which provides a more enhanced and detailed image of the breast for greater effectiveness at early detection.
Features of the Avera Breast Center are designed to make the experience as quick and comfortable as possible, from waffle-weave robes to private waiting rooms and minimal wait times. The MammoPad provides a gentle surface for a softer, warmer point of contact with mammography unit.
Women at high risk for breast cancer are offered services specific for their needs, which may include additional screening modes, preventative therapies and genetic testing.
Mammography is backed by other diagnostic tools, including breast MRI using 3 Tesla MRI, breast ultrasound and BSGI (Breast Specific Gamma Imaging). BSGI is an advanced molecular breast imaging technique that produces images from any biologic activity of tumors. Unaffected by tissue density, it is an ideal diagnostic complement to mammography, for example, for women with dense breasts. All these efforts are focused on getting an accurate diagnosis or "all clear" as quickly as possible. "Early detection makes all the difference in the world as far as treatment and survival," Dr. Alpers said.
Thanks to early detection and medical advances, chances today are quite high that a woman diagnosed with early breast cancer will not only survive, but remain cancer free after treatment, Dr. Krie said.
Women who receive a breast cancer diagnosis have the advantage of the Breast Conference, a multidisciplinary team of dedicated physicians and staff which meets weekly to review each case to create the best possible individual treatment plan. Each breast cancer patient has the support of the Avera Breast Center's Breast Health Navigator, who serves as a knowledgeable, caring guide for patients from the time of initial diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care.
As a health care worker, Cathy Marvin experienced life as a patient when breast cancer was found during an overdue screening mammogram. Soon after diagnosis, Cathy had her case reviewed at the breast conference and surgery was scheduled, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. "I had all the confidence in the world that I was in the best place and I trusted the professionals would do what they needed to do."
Treatment through the Avera Breast Center follows evidence-based protocols, whether it involves surgery, chemotherapy or radiation techniques. For certain cancers detected in early stages, lumpectomy with 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy is an option. Instead of mastectomy, or full removal of the breast, a lumpectomy involves outpatient surgery with no reconstruction needed, an easier recovery, and a short five-day treatment period with minimal side effects.
Because Avera is committed to caring for the whole person, body, mind and spirit, the Avera Cancer Institute offers Integrative Medicine. These therapies such as yoga, massage, fitness and nutrition counseling complement traditional treatment. Survivorship programs and support groups help women heal physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The Avera Breast Center's proactive approach to continuing care includes opportunities for education, building relationships and showing support for others facing breast cancer. In these ways, breast cancer survivors discover a "new normal" and go forward with their lives as mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, professionals or volunteers.
Thankfully, most women will experience breast health only through education, prevention and screening. For the best view through state-of-the-art imaging, trust the Avera Breast Center.
For those one in eight women who experience breast cancer and survivorship, the Avera Breast Center team is here to provide the best care possible through the entire journey.
During October and throughout the year, "Think Pink" for breast health and take the steps of screening and prevention that can save your life. For more information go to www.AveraThinkPink.org.
