October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of regular breast cancer screenings and the steps women can take to reduce their risk for this disease.
Breast cancer is, unfortunately, quite common. One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 4 million American women are currently living with breast cancer.
Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons for hope. A sustained focus on breast cancer awareness has produced positive results:
- More women are getting screened regularly for breast cancer. That means cancers are detected earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
- Treatment has advanced, making it possible for more women to successfully overcome breast cancer.
- Advances in the understanding of human genetics have made it possible to more accurately predict the likelihood of breast cancer for some women.
At Privia Medical Group North Texas (PMGNTX), we are committed to doing our part to increase awareness of breast cancer and the importance of screening and early detection. Our primary care providers (PCPs) ensure patients get the necessary screenings at the appropriate times.
For those who are affected by breast cancer, Privia’s highly-regarded breast surgical oncology specialists, Dr. Anita Chow and Dr. Joseph Heyne, are there to provide expert treatment. Both are routinely recognized by their peers as being some of the best in their field.
Breast Cancer Data Shows Encouraging News
According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were
- Nearly 280,000 new female breast cancer cases in 2022
- A little over 42,000 breast cancer deaths in 2023
While those are big numbers, this data offers hope and encouragement. Most importantly, the percentage of women dying from breast cancer continues to decline. Consider:
- While breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer each year at 132.9 cases per 100,000 people (2022), the death rate is far lower, at 18.6 deaths per 100,000 people (2023).
- According to the National Institutes of Health, breast cancer accounts for 15.5% of all new cancer cases in 2025, yet only accounts for 6.8% of all cancer deaths.
- The 5-year survival rate – that is, women who are still alive five years after their breast cancer diagnosis – stands at 91.7% (for 2015-2021). In the 1970s, the five-year survival rate was only about 75%. This represents tremendous progress!
While it is possible for breast cancer to affect men, that’s very rare; only 1% of all breast cancer cases are in men.
Early Detection is the Key
“We have the best chance of beating breast cancer when we catch it early. Women and their doctors are partners in early detection,” explains Dr. Chow.
Breast cancer detection is accomplished through a three-pronged strategy:
- Clinical breast exams
- Mammograms and other imaging
- Breast self-awareness
These are the basic guidelines for breast cancer screenings for most women, although your PCP may recommend a different schedule based on your health history:
- Women ages 25-39 should have a clinical breast exam every 1-3 years.
- Women ages 40 and older should have a clinical breast exam every year.
- Women ages 40 and older who have a normal risk of breast cancer should have a mammogram every year or every other year.
- Screening should continue until at least age 75.
- All women should conduct breast self-awareness on an ongoing basis.
So, what does all that mean?
Clinical Breast Exam
A clinical breast exam is a physical examination at your PCP’s office. The exam can be conducted with the patient lying down or sitting up. Your PCP examines the breasts for any abnormalities or changes, such as a lump or changes to the skin. Your doctor may also feel for any changes under your arms.
Mammogram
The mammogram, an x-ray image of the breast, is usually the most effective way to screen for breast cancer. Because treatment is most effective when the cancer is in its early stages, periodic mammograms increase the odds of early detection and successful treatment.
In some cases, a mammogram may be inconclusive, in which case the physician may order an additional diagnostic imaging exam, such as a 3-D mammogram, an ultrasound or an MRI to make a better assessment.
Women who have dense breasts – those with more fibrous and glandular tissue compared with fatty tissue – may require additional diagnostic imaging. That’s because dense breast tissue may conceal tumors on a mammogram.
Breast Self-Awareness
Finally, a key component of early detection is breast self-awareness. The goal of breast self-awareness is for a woman to recognize any changes in the appearance or feel of her breasts. A significant percentage of breast cancers are initially detected this way – about half for women age 50 and older and more than 70% for women younger than 50. Breast self-awareness is recommended for women of all ages.
A breast lump does not necessarily mean cancer. Many women have lumps in their breasts that are not cancerous and not indicative of future cancer risk. For example, cysts and fibrocystic breast condition are two common causes of non-cancerous lumps.
“The purpose of breast self-awareness is for women to be able to recognize any changes in the size, shape, feel or appearance of their breasts,” explains Dr. Heyne. “If you notice a change, make an appointment with your physician right away. It may be nothing to worry about, but it’s important to get it checked out.”
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Many breast cancer risk factors are outside anyone’s control. For example, a major risk factor is simply getting older – the greatest incidence of breast cancer is in women over 50. Remember, just because you have one or more risk factors does not mean you will get breast cancer. At the same time, it is possible to get breast cancer without having any known risk factors.
Other risk factors associated with breast cancer include:
- Family history: A woman who has a history of breast or ovarian cancer in her family, especially a first-degree relative such as a mother, sister or daughter who has had either cancer, is at elevated risk.
- Genetic mutations: Inherited gene mutations, such as BCRA1 and BCRA2 – known as the breast cancer genes – increase risk. Women with a family history of breast cancer may consider genetic testing for these cancer markers.
- Early menstruation/late menopause: Women whose periods began before age 12 or who begin menopause after age 55 are at somewhat higher risk of breast cancer. In both cases, the woman is exposed to estrogen hormones for a longer period, increasing risk.
- Late pregnancy or never having been pregnant: Becoming pregnant for the first time after age 35 or never having a full-term pregnancy can increase risk.
- Dense breasts: Women with denser breasts are at elevated risk.
- Race: Black and Pacific Islander women are at greater risk of breast cancer.
Reducing Breast Cancer Risk
While the risk factors above are mostly beyond one’s control, there are several things women can do to reduce their overall risk for breast cancer, including:
- Increase physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of breast cancer. Getting more physical activity can reduce risk.
- Lose weight: Women who are obese or overweight have an increased risk. Getting more physical activity and making improvements to diet can help reduce risk. Additional weight-loss strategies, such as GLP-1 medications, may be something to discuss with your physician.
- Use caution with hormone replacement: Taking hormones to replace estrogen and progesterone during menopause may increase breast cancer risk. Your physician can help advise you on the best course of action when considering hormone replacement therapy.
- Drink less alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of several types of cancer, including breast cancer. Women who drink alcohol should have no more than one alcoholic beverage per day. If you have trouble cutting back on alcohol, this is something you should discuss with your PCP.
- Be careful with oral contraceptives: Some types of birth control pills may contribute to breast cancer risk. Talk to your PCP about the best contraceptive options to minimize your risk.
- Breastfeed, if possible: Women who nurse their babies have been shown to have a lower risk of breast cancer.
- Don’t smoke or vape: Smoking cigarettes is a known cause of many types of cancer, as well as heart disease. Vaping is not a safe alternative. If you smoke, talk to your health care provider to get help quitting.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer often produces no noticeable symptoms initially – that’s why breast self-awareness, clinical breast exams and mammography are so important to catch the disease early.
When breast cancer becomes symptomatic, those symptoms may include:
- A new lump in the breast or armpit area
- Pain in any part of the breast
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area of the breast
- Pain in the nipple area
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
- Any change in the breast’s size or shape
Having one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean there is cancer; there could be another cause. However, you want to have it checked out by your doctor as soon as possible.
Diagnosis & Treatment
If a mammogram indicates an abnormality that may be cancerous, the patient will be referred to a breast surgical specialist. Additional imaging tests, such as an MRI or ultrasound may be conducted, and a biopsy may be performed to take a sample of tissue or fluid from the breast to test it for cancer.
“There’s no doubt, a breast cancer diagnosis is scary – but with the support of your doctors, family and friends, you have a great opportunity to successfully fight this disease,” says Dr. Dr. Heyne.
Your physicians will develop a treatment plan that best fits your situation. Breast cancer treatment often includes some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other types of therapy.
Surgery & Reconstruction
There are three main types of breast cancer surgery:
- In breast-conserving surgery, the cancerous tumor and surrounding tissue are removed from the breast.
- A total mastectomy means the entire breast must be removed.
- In a modified radical mastectomy, the breast is removed, as well as some of the lymph nodes under the arm and lining of the chest muscles.
In the event of a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery is sometimes performed at the same time. In other cases, breast reconstruction may take place later.
Other Treatments:
Additional breast cancer treatments include:
- Hormonal therapy, which blocks the cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow and spread. This treatment may be effective if the patient has one or more breast cancer receptors: estrogen, progesterone and HER2. Breast cancer in which none of these receptors are present is known as triple-negative breast cancer.
- Surgery and chemotherapy together are the most effective ways to combat triple-negative breast cancer, although researchers are finding promising results in treating this type of cancer with less chemo and radiation.
- Biological therapy helps the body’s immune system fight cancer cells and cope with side effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
While chemotherapy has been shown to be an effective breast cancer treatment, it is also very difficult for the patient. The common side effects of nausea, hair loss and extreme fatigue are tough physically and emotionally, making the love and support of family and friends especially important.
Together, We Can Beat Breast Cancer
Regular screenings and early detection are the keys to beating breast cancer.
“By keeping up with regular screenings, you give yourself the best chance to overcome breast cancer by catching it early,” says Dr. Chow.
This October, take a few minutes to check if you are up to date on your breast cancer screenings. If you’re due, schedule an appointment with your PCP today – it is one of the most important things you can do for your health.
This article has been reviewed and approved by a panel of Privia Medical Group North Texas physicians.
This article contains information sourced from:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
