Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 21)

How to Stay Proactive D vIDeO PHOTOGRAPHY BY THINKSTOCK and every three years after that. Plenty of women, however, choose to do these tests every 12 months. Whatever screening schedule you and your doctor decide upon, you should still visit him or her for a checkup every year. And taking a proactive approach to your breast health helps you stay alert to any potential problems in between visits. “It’s important, should a woman ever detect a lump, that she see a health professional very quickly,” Saslow says. “Most of the time, it’s not breast cancer, but it’s important she gets checked out.” Lumps often are simply cysts, which are ﬂuid-ﬁlled sacs that can come and go on their own or follow your menstrual cycle. “They can get larger and be painful, and doctors can aspirate them with a very thin needle,” Saslow says. Other causes of lumps are benign, or noncancerous, tumors. “If they’re not bothering you and they’re small, you might leave them in place.” The point is, you shouldn’t be scared to get something checked out. Most of the time it’s nothing. And in the case that it is something, having it treated early is best for your health—and your peace of mind. Do You Have a Family Connection to Cancer? Go to prshmd.com/vigortree to view the “Your Family (Medical) Tree” video. Learn about the possible family connection for some diseases, including cancer. espite having no family history of cancer, Karen W.* has never failed to stay on top of her regular screenings. “I’ve always had my Pap smears. I always got my mammogram on time.” And it’s a good thing. Her diligent nature ended up saving her life. At age 59, after her annual mammogram, doctors spotted the smallest dot on one of her scans. A biopsy revealed stage 0, or noninvasive, breast cancer. “I was incredulous. I’ve never had any other health problems,” Karen says. Radiation followed a lumpectomy and today, at 61, she’s cancer-free and grateful, and offers this piece of advice to women: “You have to be proactive with your body. You can’t always rely on a doctor to detect something.” What breast changes should you look for and bring up during your wellwoman exam? Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of breast and gynecologic cancers for the American Cancer Society, says to look for any of the following: • A lump thAt doesn’t go AwAy or gets larger over time • Redness oR scAliness on breasts • diffeRence in the nipples, such as one that is suddenly inverted • wet spots on youR bRA oR shiRt, which could indicate spontaneous discharge from the nipples What not to worry about? Oddly enough, pain. “Breast pain is not usually associated with breast cancer,” Dr. Saslow says. *Last name omitted for privacy. FAL L 2013 21 http://www.prshmd.com/vigortree

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Someone to Guide You
Step It Up
Your Mightiest Muscle
Well, Well, Well
Are You Doing More Harm Than Good?
Is Your Shut-Eye Serving You Well?
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge
Anatomy of an ER Visit
Next-Gen Surgery
Attack from Within
Virtual Health
Community Health
A Love for Helping People
Cruising with a Chronic Condition
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center