Tuesday, April 8, 2014

BREAST SCREENING GUIDELINES FOR HIGH RISK






As I shared in the previous blogpost, we were interviewed in RMN Zamboanga with Bhong Simbajon last March 2014 and I appreciated his question, why Breast Wellness as compared to Breast Cancer Awareness?
Radio and U Stream interview with Dr. Marissa Lim, CMZ BWC Head and Dr. Filipinas Rojo, CMZ B.R.A. Campaign lead at RMN Zamboanga anchored by Bhong Simbajon


Again, the Ciudad Medical Zamboanga Breast Wellness Center (CMZ BWC) would like to emphasize that this program aims to cater to young girls and women of all ages (Men can have breast cancer too!) to love their breasts and have them checked!

According to Dr. Marissa Lim, Head of the CMZ BWC, "Breast examination starts as soon as one realizes that she is female!"
We do not want to wait until one has Breast Cancer before we talk about it!... Let us be PROACTIVE!

I would like to share Guidelines for Breast Health for High Risk Women from I CAN SERVE and KASUSO ORG. to help serve as a guide for high risk women.

Follow recommended breast cancer screening guidelines for high risk women.
STARTING at AGE 20
** Do a Breast Self Exam (BSE) every month
~~~~~~~ get to know your breast
~~~~~~~ best done 10 days after the start of menstruation period

** Have a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) by a healthcare professional trained in CBE (from KASUSO ORG)
~~~~~~  every 20-35y/o: every 6-12 months 
~~~~~~~ >35y/o: every 3-6 months or as advised by doctor

Note: A woman with a first-degree relative who developed pre-menopausal breast cancer should be screened every two years, starting when she is 10 years younger than the age at which her relative developed cancer

~~~~~~  CBE available at CMZ Breast Wellness Center

 STARTING at AGE 40
** Do a Breast Self Exam (BSE) every month
~~~~~~  if post-menopausal, assign one day per month

** Have a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) by a healthcare professional trained in CBE (fromKASUSO ORG)

~~~~~~~ >35y/o: every 3-6 months or as advised by doctor
~~~~~~ CBE available at CMZ Breast Wellness Center

** Have a Mammogram every year
Advisable for high risk:  Baseline mammogram at age 35 then every 1-2 years thereafter
~~~~~~~ NOTE: The incidence of breast cancer in younger women is lower and mammography is less efficient when breast tissue is more dense (ex. In women younger than 40 years old)
CMZ Breast Wellness Center tagline in 2012-2013

HAVING SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS REGULARLY IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO FIND BREAST CANCER EARLY!!!
Since this is Screening, everyone is encouraged to do this even if you have NO SIGNS NOR SYMPTOMS.
But to make the most out of a Mammogram and understand its benefits, it is best to discuss this with your doctor prior to the procedure.

We have the Digital mammogram available in Ciudad Medical Zamboanga.
By the way, THERE IS LESS PAIN WITH DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY!!!

WITH MODIFIED "MOOD LIGHTING"
NOTES REGARDING MAMMOGRAPHY:
*** Screening mammograms miss at least 20% of all tumors, so you should be aware of what mammography can and cannot do for you.
*** The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for all women after age 40.
~~~~~~~ The incidence of breast cancer in younger women is lower and mammography is less efficient when breast tissue is more dense (ex. In women younger than 40 years old)
*** It is a good idea to have your mammogram conducted at the same place every time. If you change facilities, make sure that your films and written reports are sent to the new location
*** Schedule a time when you can discuss the results with your doctor.
*** Make sure you get the results of your mammogram. Do not assume that everything is okay until you hear from your doctor.

Benefits of mammography:
1. Early diagnosis =  early treatment = save lives
2. Early detection of breast cancer improves chance of survival
3. Early diagnosis = Quality of life ( reduced need for radical treatment )

Women at increased risk should talk with their doctors about the  benefits and limitations of starting early screening or having additional tests done.
  • Key to prevention of breast cancer is healthy lifestyle.
  • Key to increased survival of breast cancer is early detection.
  • Curable breast cancer equation:
Early detection = early diagnosis = early treatment

We hope you appreciate knowing about these guidelines!
However, for those in Zamboanga City, we may get to know more about Breast Wellness and Breast Cancer Awareness by requesting a schedule for a free lecture from the CMZ Breast Wellness Center
Ciudad De Zamboanga B.R.E.A.S.T
(Bra to Raise Early Awareness for Screening and Treatment) Installation Art
by Rameer Tawasil







3 comments:

  1. I agree with this, Early diagnosis, early treatment= save lives. Help all the women to be more aware on how important to take care of our self.:)

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  2. Wow, very informative, as always, Doc. Thank you again for sharing. People (men and women alike) should really be aware. Your advocacy could save a lot of lives talaga. Good job and keep doing that. God bless!

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  3. prevention is better than cure! though guilty ako kasi don't do self exam and even go to the doctor.

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