In cooperation with the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation, the Jennersville Regional Hospital Cancer Program will offer free mammograms and clinical breast exams for women who are uninsured or underinsured on Wednesday, October 28, 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hospital’s facilities in West Grove. Appointments are required and can be arranged by calling the Foundation at 1-877-992-7333.
Breast Cancer Testing and Diagnostics
Breast cancer is the second largest cancer killer for women, just after lung cancer. One in eight women will be treated for breast cancer within her lifetime. This is why it is important to understand how the breasts function, the early warning signs of cancer and the tests every woman needs to know and understand to ensure her own health.
The primary function of the breasts is to provide milk to children after birth. The breasts are composed of lobules glands that produce the milk, and ducts, which connect these lobules to the nipple. In addition to the lobules and ducts, there are also fatty connective tissues, blood vessels and lymph vessels, which carry immune system cells. Although some breast cancers start in the lobules, most start in the ducts.
Some symptoms of breast cancer are easy to detect. You should contact your physician immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Discharge from nipples, especially blood and/or puss;
- A new lump, particularly if it is painful and doesn’t leave after a menstrual cycle;
- Unceasing breast pain;
- Breast infection, which include centralized redness, puss or fever;
- Nipple changes such as pulling inward, enlargement or itching;
- An asymmetrical breast;
- Skin changes on breast or swelling; and/or
- Lump in the underarm.
The following exams are performed routinely to check for breast caner:
A physician usually performs a clinical breast exam during a routine checkup. Women in their 20s and 30s should have this exam at least every three years; women over 40 should have it annually.
You can ask your physician to show you how to perform a monthly self-exam. This can be used for early detection and is a good preventative step to take, especially for women with a history of breast cancer in their families.
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast designed to examine potential problems. During the test, the breast is placed between two plates to spread the tissue for better access. Mammograms are generally given to women over 40 and to some higher risk patients. It is advised to have a mammogram once a year.
An ultrasound, which utilizes sound waves, is another helpful test used for detecting breast cancer. These waves bounce off the tissue in the breast and this information is fed back to a computer, which makes a map of the tissue. An ultrasound can detect whether a lump is a cyst, a fluid filled non-cancerous lump or a potential solid mass, which may indicate cancer.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) utilizes a large magnet, which is connected to a computer that also makes a detailed picture of the breast.
A biopsy is the next step if a solid, possibly cancerous lump is detected, or an area of calcification is noted on a mammogram. Fluid or tissue is extracted and tested for cancer.
By regularly using these detection measures mentioned above, breast cancer can usually be found early, which gives a woman the best chance for survival.
For more information about breast cancer, Jennersville Regional Hospital services offered to women undergoing diagnostic exams for breast cancer and programs for those under treatment or post breast cancer treatment, call the Breast Care Coordinator at 610-869-1067.
Jennersville Regional Hospital, located in West Grove, is part of the Jefferson Cancer Network. The Cancer Program offers comprehensive diagnostic services and in-patient oncology care, medical oncology, outpatient surgery and chemotherapy, pain management, home care and hospice services as well as support and educational programs.