Combat Breast Cancer through Early Detection
http://www.cameroninquiry.ca/articles/294/1/Combat-Breast-Cancer-through-Early-Detection/Page1.html
Cameron Inquiry
Cameron Inquiry is a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador who is somewhat outraged and disgusted at what has transpired in the Health Care System in Newfoundland and Labrador leading up to the revelation of the faulty hormone receptor tests and the impact that this scandal has had on the lives of the breast cancer patients and their families.
By Cameron Inquiry
Published on 10/20/2008
With one in every eight American women developing breast cancer, one of the best methods of combating breast cancer is through developing an awareness of the disease and how early detection is imperative to survival. Regular breast exams play an important role in combating breast cancer, especially for women who are 40 years old or more.
Combat Breast Cancer through Regular Breast Exams
According to the American Cancer Society, Early detection is extremely important for combating breast cancer. With breast cancer being the second main cause of death in women ages 40 to 54, "Breast cancer survival is linked directly to early detection". This according to Connie Ziegfeld, a nurse from Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Centre in Baltimore.
If breast cancer is detected early, there are less chances of it spreading and has been shown to be more curable "with less evasive treatment" Ziegfeld said.
Early detection of breast cancer begins with breast self-exams, which should be followed up by an annual mammography examination, especially for those women who have been placed in a high risk category.
The ACS has indicated that breast awareness had a great importance than a structured exam. In fact, most unusual changes that supervene in women breasts are perceived by them outside of breast self-exams. It is however, important that regular clinical breast exams occur by trained professionals. These exams will last typically from 6 to 12 minutes.
With mammograms able to spot up to 90% of breast cancer in women, most women are not aware that they show no symptoms of the disease prior to detection. Mammograms have been effective in the screening of breast cancer since 1990 and has had a very postive impact on lowering the rate of breast cancer deaths in the US.
Still with the importance of breast cancer screening, many women age 40 and older elect not to have an exam because in some instances breast cancer exams are not covered by insurance, are relatively expensive and are often quite painful.
Research has shown that upwards of two-thirds of women will disregard the use of screening guidelines because of this.
If breast cancer is detected early, there are less chances of it spreading and has been shown to be more curable "with less evasive treatment" Ziegfeld said.
Early detection of breast cancer begins with breast self-exams, which should be followed up by an annual mammography examination, especially for those women who have been placed in a high risk category.
The ACS has indicated that breast awareness had a great importance than a structured exam. In fact, most unusual changes that supervene in women breasts are perceived by them outside of breast self-exams. It is however, important that regular clinical breast exams occur by trained professionals. These exams will last typically from 6 to 12 minutes.
With mammograms able to spot up to 90% of breast cancer in women, most women are not aware that they show no symptoms of the disease prior to detection. Mammograms have been effective in the screening of breast cancer since 1990 and has had a very postive impact on lowering the rate of breast cancer deaths in the US.
Still with the importance of breast cancer screening, many women age 40 and older elect not to have an exam because in some instances breast cancer exams are not covered by insurance, are relatively expensive and are often quite painful.
Research has shown that upwards of two-thirds of women will disregard the use of screening guidelines because of this.