Breast Cancer
Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center
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Sky Lakes Approach to Breast Cancer
Here at Sky Lakes, we value a compassionate approach to healthcare. Our Cancer Care Center provides a warm and welcoming environment for our patients to receive care. We understand that comprehensive care is important and place a high value on our patient’s healthcare experience as well as the care they receive. We do our best to make them feel comfortable during their visits, which is why we are constantly implementing new resources such as our little library for our patients.
What is Breast Cancer?
According to the America Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnoses for women in the United States, excluding skin cancers. The American Cancer Society’s estimates 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the United States for 2023. Breast cancer is expected to cause about 43,700 deaths during 2023. While breast cancer is most common in women, men are able to have breast cancer as well.
Breast cancers can begin in any area of the breast. There are many different types of breast cancer. Breast cancers are distinguished by the part of the breast and the type of breast cell that they are affecting.
The most common breast cancers are known as adenocarcinomas as the cancer starts in the gland cells of the milk ducts or the lobules (milk-producing glands).
Other types of cancers can also start in the breast, but are not typically considered breast cancers because of the types of cells that are affected. These include:
- Angiosarcomas
- Sarcomas
Should I Schedule a Mammogram?
Sky Lakes Medical Imaging offers mammogram services, however this is not recommended for all patients. Sky Lakes recommends that women begin to get yearly mammograms at age 40. If you feel you need a mammogram and don’t fit this parameter or are considered to be at-risk for breast cancer, please consult with your primary care doctor.
Screening for Breast Cancers
Mammograms are often the type of breast cancer preventative screenings most people think about, but they aren’t your only option.
These are the most common forms of breast cancer screening tests
During a 2D mammogram (also called conventional digital mammography), two pictures are typically taken of each breast—one from the side and one from above.
Overview. A 3D mammogram is an imaging test that combines multiple breast X-rays to create a three-dimensional picture of the breast. A 3D mammogram is used to look for breast cancer in people who have no signs or symptoms.
Source: Mayo Clinic
A clinical breast exam (CBE) is a physical exam of your breasts done by a health care provider. It’s often done during your yearly medical check-up.
A clinical breast exam should be performed by a health care provider well-trained in the technique. This may be a doctor, nurse practitioner or other medical staff. Not all health care providers have this training.
A trained health care provider should carefully feel your breasts, underarms and the area just below your clavicle (collar bone) for any changes or abnormalities, such as a lump. The provider should visually check your breasts while you are sitting up and physically examine your breasts while you are lying down.
If a clinical breast exam isn’t offered at your check-up and you‘d like one, ask your health care provider to perform one (or refer you to someone who can).
Source: Susan G. Komen Foundation
Learn how to do a self breast exam here: https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/breast-self-exam-bse.