October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I’d like to start the month with a brief discussion about screening. But, first let’s take a moment to honor and celebrate the birth of the inspiration behind the creation of Penny’s Pink Power – Penelope Green Vanderhorst – born October 7th in South Carolina.
Now that you know a bit more about Penny, listed below are the most common screenings for breast cancer that are available to women.
Breast Exams
Can be done by the individual or a health professional. The breasts and axilla are carefully checked for lumps and any thing that seems unusual.
Mammography
Probably the most common and widely used screening, mammography uses x-ray to create a picture of the breast. Mammograms are able to detect abnormal tissue that maybe too small to detect with self breast exams.
Ultrasound
Sound waves are used to make images of the breast. Ultrasound is often used as a follow up to one of the aforementioned screening measures.
Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic fields are used to create a detailed picture of the screened area of the breast. MRI detect abnormal tissue that does not appear on mammogram imaging. MRI does not expose the patient to radiation.
Biopsy
A procedure in which cells or tissue from a suspicious area of the breast is removed. The tissue is then studied by a pathologist to identify if abnormal cells are present.
For further information speak to your health care professional. Additional educational information about breast cancer can be found at www.cancer.gov.
Penny's Pink Power Foundation 