By Carol A. Cates, MSN, MBA, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Odessa Regional Medical Center
It’s October, and everywhere you go, there is something pink. Because of that, and because of some of the scandals associated with the marketing attached to breast cancer awareness, there is quite a bit of debate about the effectiveness of all these campaigns.
One of the first things I hear critics cite when they talk about all the hype around breast cancer is that breast cancer rates haven’t declined. That is true, but personally, I think those people are missing the point of awareness. Awareness doesn’t change the incidence of a disease, what it changes is how people recognize symptoms and the need for early detection. Those of you who regularly read my columns know how often I talk about the importance of early detection and treatment. With cancers, early detection quite literally saves lives.
That is where breast cancer awareness makes a difference.
Here in the Basin, we have a wonderful organization that not only works to improve breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection, but they also work to make sure that everyone has access to early detection testing. That organization is Pink the Basin. They are absolutely one of the best organizations I know for using breast cancer awareness month and every month the way it should be used, to improve early detection by making sure everyone who needs a screening for breast cancer gets a screening.
I said everyone because breast cancer is not just a women’s disease.
While it is much rarer in men, it still happens. The American Cancer Society has estimated that 2,710 men in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and 530 men will die because of it this year. While there are currently no mammogram recommendations for the average man, if you are a man and have a history of breast cancer in your family, particularly in a man in your family, please speak to your health care provider about early detection methods that are best for you. All men after puberty should do regular breast tissue self-examinations. Please speak to your primary health care provider about how to perform a self-screening exam and how often you need to do those exams.
For women, the recommendation is that women get an annual screening mammogram beginning at age 40 if they are at average risk. For women at higher risk because of their genetics, other risks due to radiation exposure, or a personal history of breast cancer they may need a screening MRI rather than a mammogram. Speak to your primary health care provider about the kind of breast cancer screening that is best for you.
All women should also do a regular self-screening exam once they pass puberty, just as I said with men, please speak to your primary health care provider about how to perform a self-screening exam and how often they need to be done.
Please consider getting a screening mammogram soon if you do meet those recommendations. You don’t need a prescription for a screening mammogram, you just need to call a mammography center for an appointment.
If you need a screening mammogram and cannot afford one, please go to pinkthebasin.com and their “get help” page. That page has Information on getting a mammogram when you are concerned about the costs. That page also has several mammography centers in the Basin listed if you don’t know what centers are in this area.
The other thing I would really encourage everyone to do this month is to participate in the many Pink the Basin activities to increase breast care awareness and to help provide funding for the breast cancer screening examinations Pink the Basin supports. They have several events scheduled this month: The 10th Annual Sporting Clays Event on October 7th, Jackalopes Pink the Basin night on October 15th, Pink the Pool on October 5th, the 21st Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Chili and Bar-B-Que Cookoff on October 8th, and Soft Suds Pink the Basin Days, every Wednesday throughout October. Please go visit the Pink the Basin website for more details.
