What to Know About Screening and Treating Breast Cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn more about the importance of screening and understanding your results.
Importance of a Mammogram
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of deaths among women in the U.S., making regular screenings incredibly important. Early detection, finding those small nonpalpable cancers can improve patient outcomes and save lives.
You should begin getting an annual mammogram when you turn 40 years old, but your doctor may suggest starting screenings sooner or making them more frequent if you are at higher risk than normal.
The 15-minute exam can not only give you peace of mind but could potentially save your life as detecting breast cancer early makes it much easier to treat.
EvergreenHealth's 3-D mammography machines are the most advanced screening tool, allowing your doctor to be able to spot developing cancers that aren't detected on regular 2-D mammogram machines.
Your Mammogram Results
EvergreenHealth radiologists will read the results of your mammogram after your appointment. You'll receive a letter in the mail following your visit that explains your results in clear, easy-to-read language. You will also be able to access your results via the MyChart portal.
Of the thousands of mammograms EvergreenHealth performs every year, this is the result of about 90% of them.
If the radiologist notices something abnormal in your mammogram results, they will likely work with you to schedule a follow-up diagnostic mammogram. Diagnostic mammograms usually take more images than your initial mammogram or they will focus more closely on a particular area of a breast.
Getting scheduled for a second screening does not necessarily mean your results are cancer. In fact, even if a radiologist sees a small mass, this is often determined to be benign.
If there is any concern, your doctor may suggest a biopsy. There are numerous types of breast biopsy procedures, but the goal is the same: to take a sample of what is concerning to your doctor and determine if it is cancer.
No matter what your results are from your screening mammogram, we will ensure that you understand exactly what your diagnosis means, the next steps and continue to partner with you at every point in your health journey.
Getting Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Following a breast cancer diagnosis, your doctor will discuss your results, including what stage and type of breast cancer, as well as talk through all of your treatment options to choose the best care for you.
Three of the most common treatment options falls into the following categories: surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology.
If you and your doctor determine that surgery is the best treatment option, it may include either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. A lumpectomy includes removing the cancer and some normal tissue around it, which is done to ensure the cancer is removed. A mastectomy is when the entire breast is removed.
Your cancer care team may suggest medical oncology, or chemotherapy as the best form of treatment., Chemotherapy treatment uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body. Chemotherapy is most often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body.
Radiation oncology is when your cancer care team uses radiation technology to target the cancer. This form of therapy uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. At EvergreenHealth, there are numerous options for radiation oncology, including our advanced image guided therapy that uses a real-time scan of your tumor and the surrounding area to ensure you are in the correct position and maximizes the benefits of the treatment.
Additionally, our 4-dimensional respirator gating tracks your breathing during radiation therapy so that the machine can track your cancerous tumor and not impact other healthy organs in your body.
While a cancer diagnosis is not something any of us want to face, you can face it with confidence and peace of mind with EvergreenHealth's specialized team of experts supported by the word's leading edge technology in cancer treatment.
Patient Stories
Saving a Life from Breast Cancer Through Preventative Care
EvergreenHealth's 3-D mammography technology caught Carol Tranfaglia's breast cancer before it would have been seen on a regular mammogram. Read more about Carol
Providing Peace of Mind Through Advanced Technology
Carolyn Brock's journey began when her primary care provider saw something of concern with Brock's left breast and referred her to the EvergreenHealth Breast Health Center for a mammogram. Read more about Carolyn
Early Detection is Our Best Defense Against Breast Cancer
When Linda Hanseth saw the EvergreenHealth mobile mammography coach at her Sultan primary care office, she decided to give it a try. It was the best decision she's ever made. Read more about Linda
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