Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection Saves Lives

It can be difficult to find someone who has not been affected by breast cancer through the diagnoses of a loved one, a colleague, or themselves. In the U.S., one in eight women will be diagnosed with the devastating disease, and according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, an estimated 43,550 women will lose the battle to breast cancer in 2022.

For medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, this month-long campaign is an opportunity to share their knowledge and push the importance of early detection through screening.

“Early detection can make the difference between life and death when it comes to breast cancer,” said Washington DC VA Medical Center Mammography and Breast Imaging radiologist, Leena Grover, M.D. “That is why we strive to educate people to know the signs and what to look for, as well as any risk factors they may have that increase their chance of developing breast cancer.”

Grover has more than 20 years of experience screening patients for signs of breast cancer. She said a big misconception that many patients have is that they’re too young to worry about screening.

“The recommended age to start screening for breast cancer in average risk patient is 40,” said Grover.

“But for women at a higher risk, due to a strong family history or testing positive for the BRCA gene, please consult with your health care provider to see if you can benefit from early or additional supplemental screening.”

Risk factors that can increase your chance of developing breast cancer include:

• Family history of breast cancer
• Personal history of breast cancer (cancer in one breast increases the odds of having cancer in the other breast)
• Hormonal changes
• Age (risk increases after you turn 40)
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Unhealthy Diet
• Obesity or overweight
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Pregnancy (becoming pregnant at an older age or never being pregnant)
• Radiation exposure (women who received radiation treatments to the chest to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma at a young age)
• Postmenopausal Hormone therapy (if you are on combined estrogen and progesterone, you are at an increased risk of breast cancer and should discuss the risk versus benefits with your doctor)

“We are seeing more and more cases of breast cancer diagnosed in younger Veterans, and that is why it is so important to talk to your doctor early and often about any risk factors that you have,” said Grover, who also recommends getting to know your own body and paying attention to any changes that arise.

The following symptoms should be discussed with a health care provider right away:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast

“When detected early in the localized stage, before it has a chance to spread, the 5-year survival rate is 99%,” said Grover. “This is why we promote breast cancer awareness every October, to educate everyone about the signs and symptoms and increase their chances of catching any concerns early.”

In addition to understanding your risk factors and the symptoms, taking the following steps can help reduce your chance of developing breast cancer, or surviving it, if diagnosed.

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Be physically active (try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day)
• Avoid alcohol or consume in moderation
• Breastfeed your children, if possible
• If you are taking hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives, ask your doctor about the risks to determine if they are right for you
• If you have a family history of breast cancer, inherited changes to your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes or have a precancerous breast condition, talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk 

Although women are more likely to develop breast cancer, Grover encourages men to also learn the signs and symptoms as they too can be diagnosed.

For eligible Veterans who are diagnosed with breast cancer, the Washington DC VA Medical Center provides treatment and care from a comprehensive team of oncologists and breast surgeons. Additionally, Grover’s team is hard at work, preparing to open a mammography/breast imaging service so Veterans can be screened within the VA. The added service will allow them to receive every aspect of care, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and support, from their VA primary care team.

“It is never easy to hear that you or a loved one has cancer, but there are reasons to be positive about the outcome,” she said. “We have come such a long way, through medical advancements in treatment, and we have an excellent team of breast surgeons and oncologists at the DC VAMC, ready to care for and support you on every step of your journey to recovery.”

For more breast cancer information and to speak to professionals who treat it at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, visit the Women’s Health Clinic Breast Cancer Information Fair, every Wednesday in October, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. outside the main entrance to the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Find the event details here. VA Washington DC Health Care | Breast Cancer Awareness Information Fair | Veterans Affairs