Dr. Lynn Dyess, professor of surgery at the USA College of Medicine, says that one in eight women get breast cancer, making awareness important for all women.
According to Dr. Dyess, primary risks of breast cancer include family history, late pregnancies, late menopause, and early menarche – or starting menstrual cycles early in life.
USA Children’s & Women’s hospital is in tune to those risks, and Dr. Dyess says they have a unique perspective on patient care at the time a mammogram is done. “At USA Children’s & Women’s, you’re not sent away with results to come in two weeks,” Dr. Dyess stated. “Emotionally, women get anxious about a mammogram. At our hospital, a radiologist views your film before you even leave and gives you a brief overview of the results.”
This patient-centered service contrasts with many other hospitals where breast imaging is not interpreted immediately -- this can delay the complete evaluation for two to three weeks.
Dr. Dyess also pointed out that women should start getting annual mammograms at the age of 40, but that women under 40 should learn how to complete self-breast exams. “Young women need to learn, even if it is controversial. It is beneficial, and young women need to check and be familiar with themselves so they know when something is wrong.”
Breast cancer isn’t just in women, either. Dr. Dyess said that for every 100 women with breast cancer, it is expected that there will be one case of male breast cancer.
Dr. Dyess says she values breast cancer awareness month especially when many cases of cancer can be caught early. “It puts an emphasis on being aware of breast cancer and reminds women of the importance of breast self-examinations and getting mammograms. That’s crucial.”
