October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but taking care of your breast health—and your overall health—is something women should prioritize year-round.
For women, preventive care can sometimes take a back seat to work, family and the countless other responsibilities competing for their attention. But regular checkups and screenings can play an important role in identifying potential health concerns early, when they may be easier to address.
We spoke with Michelle Cooley, APRN-CNP, Women’s Health and Weight Management, about why women should take an active role in their health, the importance of routine breast cancer screenings and what she wants every woman to remember this October.
Early Detection Can Make A Difference
One of the most important reasons to stay current on breast cancer screenings is that imaging can identify changes that cannot yet be felt.
“Typically, when a lump is found either by a patient, their partner or a provider, these tumors are at a further stage than many tumors caught via imaging,” Cooley explained. “Imaging gives us tools to see things we may not feel for months to years.”
Routine mammograms can also identify early changes in breast tissue that may help providers recognize high-risk tissue before it develops into cancer.
That’s why routine screening matters, even when you feel healthy. Some changes may not cause noticeable symptoms, but screening can help identify concerns before you’re able to feel them yourself.
Don’t Put Off Your Mammogram
For women who have delayed or avoided a mammogram, Cooley encourages them to consider how little time the appointment requires compared with the potential benefit.
“Annual mammogram office visits take about 30 minutes start to finish,” she said. “One cancer IV treatment can be hours.”
For women who feel nervous about having a mammogram or receiving an abnormal result, knowing what to expect can also help ease some of that anxiety. Local breast centers offer screening imaging and provide results, with staff available to explain findings and answer questions when additional imaging is needed.
“Finding something early can be the difference in small intervention or larger intervention or treatments,” Michelle said.
Know Your Risk—And Know Your Body
While routine screening is important, women should also pay attention to changes between mammograms and talk with their healthcare provider when something doesn’t feel right.
Changes to watch for can include:
- A new lump or fullness in the breast
- A lump in or around the armpit
- Changes in the skin of the breast
- Nipple discharge
- Breast pain, particularly pain that is not cyclical in younger women
Family history can also affect when and how often a woman should be screened. Women with a first-degree relative who has had breast cancer may need to begin screening earlier, while women with dense breasts may benefit from additional imaging, such as breast MRI.
Talking with your provider about your individual risk factors can help determine the screening plan that is right for you.
Breast Health Is Part Of Your Overall Health
Breast cancer screening is just one piece of preventive care. Regular women’s health visits can provide an opportunity to stay on top of other important screenings, including bone health testing, colon cancer screening, cervical cancer screening and heart disease screening.
Cooley also emphasizes that women should begin thinking about their long-term health well before a health concern arises.
Pregnancy, for example, can provide important information about a woman’s future health. Women who experience blood sugar or blood pressure issues during pregnancy may be more likely to experience those concerns later in life.
“Taking care of yourself, particularly when you have faced challenges in pregnancy, is very important,” said Cooley.
Routine visits give women and their providers an opportunity to identify potential concerns early—before they require more significant intervention.
Take Two Simple Steps For Your Health
When it comes to prioritizing your health, Michelle recommends starting with two simple steps: schedule a well-woman exam and walk for 30 minutes every day.
Taking an active role in your health doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly. It means making time for yourself, understanding your risks, asking questions and staying connected to your healthcare team.
For Michelle, one of the most rewarding parts of women’s healthcare is seeing that knowledge passed from one generation to the next.
“I love seeing generations of women in the same families hand down education and health prevention tips that they have learned in their time with me,” she said.
Ultimately, breast cancer awareness is about more than one month or one screening. It’s about recognizing that women deserve to understand their health, participate in their care and have access to quality preventive care throughout every stage of life.