Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues through the month of October! Do you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer? Not only do I take care of patients who have breast cancer, but I have many family members who have been impacted by this disease. Personally, I fall into a high risk category, which means that I have been getting breast MRIs and mammograms annually for the past few years. I know the importance of getting screened along with knowing one’s risk level.

According to the American Cancer Society, here is what makes someone high-risk for breast cancer:

1. Lifetime risk of 20-25% or greater (typically these are screenings done which take family history into account).
2. BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive results from genetic testing.
3. BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic positive results in first-degree relative and you have not yet had testing. (First-degree relatives would be a parent, child, or sibling).
4. Radiation therapy at a young age (as in, under 30 years old).
5. Syndromes such as: Li-Fraumeni, Cowen, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba. (Either oneself, or a first-degree relative).

Talk to your doctor if you are not sure what your risk level is, and let them know your thoughts and preferences regarding screening so that you can come to a shared decision that you are comfortable with. Read more about the American Cancer Society’s recommendations here, including information about mammograms and MRIs.

For information regarding screening assistance, here are some links which may be helpful:

Susan G. Komen’s blog lists a number for a navigator that can help find screening (navigators in the healthcare world literally help to navigate the system in some manner).

The CDC lists a link to find free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings.

Breastcancer.org lists a variety of resources to help people find screening near them.

If you have a loved one who is in need of breast cancer screening, please encourage them to get the help they need. Many communities do have mobile mammogram vans in the area, but it is a matter of knowing where they are going to be, and when. It is not always easy to get the care that is needed, especially if there are no or few healthcare facilities nearby. The internet helps, but not everyone has access to it.

Many years ago, one of my grandmothers died from breast cancer, back when there was not a lot of information available, and people did not necessarily know how to get the help they needed. My other grandmother had breast cancer and survived. Sometimes, people are scared or embarrassed to ask for help. Fear can be very powerful. But with a helping hand, it can be overcome.

Thank you for reading on this Sunday evening! It is very rainy where I live, and a good night to bake chocolate chip cookies (which I am going to try doing in a big cast iron skillet). If you like what I write, please subscribe. Thanks. 🙂