Breast Cancer Awareness Month highlights early detection strategies

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and KTVZ spoke with local health care professionals about what you need to know about the disease and the preventative measures available.

Annual screening mammograms starting at age 40 are recommended for detecting breast cancer early, when the disease is most treatable. Health experts at St. Charles Cancer Center advise individuals to consult with health care providers to determine their screening schedule and risk level.

The recommendations were highlighted by St. Charles Hospital during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. While routine annual screenings begin at age 40, individuals with a family medical history or genetic mutations may require earlier testing.

Jessica Keegan serves as the cancer screening and prevention coordinator at St. Charles Hospital. She emphasized the importance of regular preventative screenings for early detection.

“It's really treatable. So one of the great things that you can do is get screened,” Keegan said. “You start at the age of 40 and continually doing annual screening mammograms.”

For individuals with elevated risk, the hospital offers access to a high-risk clinic where patients undergo comprehensive consultations to establish personalized care plans.

“The high risk clinic is a clinic that a women are able to come in,” Keegan said. “We do a long consultation with them, meaning like an hour consultation going over what their risk is and then go through giving them recommendations of what their imaging care should look like and what their next steps should be. Sometimes we have discussions around genetic testing. So it's making sure that they are fully taken care of and that they have a plan in place for their next steps.”

Health care professionals recommend seeking medical evaluation if physical changes occur in breast tissue. Keegan outlined specific symptoms that warrant contacting a health care provider.

“If they are finding that there's a new lump dimpling in their skin, nipple discharge, swelling in their breasts or redness in the breast, then they should definitely contact their provider,” Keegan said.

Breast cancer can also impact men, who are advised to monitor for any physical changes. Health providers encourage individuals to complete an annual woman's wellness exam, which includes a manual breast exam, and to reach out to a medical professional if any symptoms occur or if questions arise regarding family history.