October Awareness: Breast Cancer

Think Pink: Honor, Remember, Support, Prevent

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this disease affects approximately 264,000 women a year, some of whom may be our very own loved ones.

Due to the importance of this month, Henry County Hospital would like to take some time to honor those who have been affected by breast cancer, remember those who have been taken by it, support those who are currently fighting it, and prevent others from developing the disease.

Much like any type of cancer, early detection is essential in combating late-stage breast cancer. In fact, as part of the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s 2022 awareness campaign, they are placing focus on how they can RISE: Rally In Screening Everyone.

So, while you are enjoying the cooling breeze and stocking up on Halloween candy, make sure you’re also considering how you can partake in Breast Cancer Awareness Month – and a great way to start is by scheduling a screening!

To schedule your appointment or to gain more information, give our Medical Imaging team a call at 419.591.3830 today.

Breast Cancer Prevention: What You Can Do

The best way to prevent the development of breast cancer is through routine check-ups. It is important to perform monthly breast exams and schedule your Annual Well-Woman Visits with your healthcare provider, in order to make sure there aren’t any underlying issues that need to be addressed.

If you are currently in remission from breast cancer, or if you are in the process of treatment, it is also important to schedule regular appointments with your oncologist, in order to make sure your treatment methods are working successfully.

Henry County Hospital is accredited through the American College of Radiology (ACR) to provide mammography services and we follow the ACR screening mammography recommendations. Women should have their baseline mammography at the age of 40 and continue with annual screening mammography until the age of 75. Women may need to be screened prior to the age of 40 if they are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Once a woman reaches the age of 75 it is important to discuss your unique needs with your healthcare provider to determine the frequency at which you should have a screening mammogram.

At Henry County Hospital we are happy to have implemented state-of-the-art screening technology, the ASPIRE Cristalle 3D Mammography machine, which allows us to detect breast cancer earlier than ever before. The technology provides the following benefits for our patients:

• More detailed images of the breast tissue (we see the breast in very thin slices think of a loaf of bread)
• Compression that is even across the breast tissue; Compression is an important aspect of mammography as it decreases the radiation dose for safety and improves the sharpness of the image, as well as reduces the chances of motion.
• Decrease callbacks

Awareness Starts at the Source

Early detection saves lives – it’s as simple as that.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, and it is also subsequently the second leading cause of death among women. By spreading awareness on the importance of frequent breast cancer screenings, we can detect more tumors before they become fatal.

Schedule a screening for you or your loved one today to help aid us in breast cancer prevention and spread the word about the significance of routine testing. It just might save a life!