Premium Healthcare Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Keila Hoover M.D Discusses Breast Cancer and The Importance of Being Screened
According to Dr. Keila Hoover M.D CEO and Founder of Premium Healthcare in Miami Florida. The philosophy behind Breast Cancer awareness or any illness for that matter begins with prevention. Breast cancer is most common in women over the age of 40. It is important to understand the dangers of breast cancer and get screened, to discover an early detection.
Behind heart disease, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women overall, and the leading cause of death in Hispanic women. There are many forms of treatment, but early detection is still the #1 way to determine the type of treatment needed.
Many of the risk factors determining the likelihood of females developing breast cancer can be attributed to family history. The more information a practitioner has when screening and evaluating for breast cancer, the better diagnostic testing can be done.
Although a final determination has not been discovered on what is the actual cause of breast cancer, many of the risk factors are known. Risk factors such as what you eat and how much you exercise contribute to the development of breast cancer but how the cells mutate into cancer cells is not fully understood.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
There are different forms of breast cancer. Similar to cancer, breast cancer has different stages, each with different symptoms. There are some women who experience no symptoms at all, which makes screening and detection that much more important, to determine if there is breast cancer. It is suggested for women ages 40 and older be screened for breast cancer once a year.
Some of the symptoms associated with breast cancer in women are-
- Newly developed lump in the breast or underarm
- Thickening or swelling of parts of the breast
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
- Discharge from nipple other than breast milk
- Changes in the size or shape of breasts
- Pain in any area of the breast
These symptoms may also accompany other conditions that are not breast cancer. If you experience any one or all of these symptoms you should schedule an appointment to get checked immediately.
Have a look at Dr. Keila Hoover’s overview on Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
More testing and detailed examinations may be available. Some common tests a doctor or specialist person to determine if breast cancer is present are-
Breast Exam – Your Doctor will feel your breasts and lymph nodes searching for any lumps or abnormalities.
Mammogram – A mammogram is a breast x-ray.If any abnormalities are detected your doctor will then require further examinations.
Breast Ultrasound – Using soundwaves to produce images from deep within the body, ultrasound may be used to determine if a new breast lump is a solid mass or a fluid-filled cyst.
The only definitive way to make a diagnosis of breast cancer is through a skin biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor will use a specialized needle guided by an x-ray or imaging to extract tissue from a suspicious area. The extracted tissue is then sent for analysis to determine if the cells are cancerous.
Treatment of Breast Cancer
Once your doctor has diagnosed breast cancer, the next step is to determine the extent or stage of your cancer. Depending on the stage of your cancer an accurate prognosis may be given as well as the best treatment options. Below is a list of treatments your doctor may prescribe.
- Breast cancer surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapy drugs
- Immunotherapy
- Supportive (palliative) care
Care After Breast Cancer
Many, if not all women are relieved when finished with breast cancer treatment. Although breast cancer is a completely dangerous disease, a proper plan for treatment is required to ensure a person’s survival. Modern medicine, imaging, tests, and clinical trials are some of the ways doctors have made it possible to recover from a diagnosis.
Ask your doctor for a survivor care plan and they will be able to provide you with the proper follow schedule and plan to improve your quality of life by modifying your diet, lifestyle, and physical activity.
Even after treatment of breast cancer has been completed doctors may still continue to watch a person close to monitor for any changes or reactions to the treatments days, weeks, or even years after treatment has ended.
Premium Healthcare encourages women to get tested and screened for cancer once a year after the age of 40. To book your appointment and speak to one of our doctors please visit our book appointment page or call us now at (305)265-4441
More information on Breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and more can be read on the following sites.
