Breast cancer can affect anyone; be proactive with exams

  • Published
  • By Air Force Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  "My primary care provider sent me for a mammogram to 'get it out of the way,'" said Meredith Rothstein, 39. "Immediately, when the mammogram of my right breast appeared on the screen, I saw a white spidery-looking creature. Then, the technician asked me to have a seat in the hallway."

When the radiologist came in, he shared his suspicions with Rothstein and offered to do a biopsy that same day to quickly get the results.

"On April 17, 2012, my life changed forever," Rothstein said. "I had to call my husband and tell him I had breast cancer."

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of screening and early detection of breast cancer.

The 673d Medical Surgical Squadron diagnostic imaging flight staff are there to help screen military members and their family for early detection of breast cancer.

On average, the flight handles more than 270 patients per month, and of those patients, they  also see one or two male patients for breast screening.

"We are here to raise awareness about breast health," said Senior Master Sgt. Sean Taylor, 673d MSGS digital imaging superintendent.

"We educate patients, dispel myths about mammograms, and try to make the breast examination a positive experience," Taylor said.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cancer among women in the United States, after skin cancer.

Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it  is easier to treat - before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.

Millions of women survive the disease because of early detection and improvements in treatment. 

Men can also get breast cancer, but males have less than a one percent chance.

Breast cancer in men is usually diagnosed between the ages of 60 and 70 years old.

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump or mass felt in the tissue.

Other possible symptoms of breast cancer can include thickening or swelling of part of the breast, irritation and dimpling of the breast, breast or nipple
pain, redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast, or nipple retraction or discharge.

"The earlier we can detect it, the earlier we can treat it, and the greater chance we have for a successful recovery," Taylor said.

The digital imaging flight recommends patients see their primary care provider if they start to have any pain, concerns or lumps, which allows their primary care provider to discuss any problems or changes they have noticed.

The American Cancer Society and the American Board of Radiology recommend that women start being screened at the age of 40 and have a screening every year after that.

Those with a family history of breast cancer should consult their primary care physician about starting screenings at an even earlier age.

"Women who hit the age of 40 and require a mammogram need to go to their [primary care manager]," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Cecilia de la Rosa, 673d MSGS Digital Imaging mammography noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

"That gives the provider the opportunity to educate the patient on breast care and health," she said. "It also gives the provider a chance to do a clinical breast exam, making sure there isn't any diagnostic issue."

Once the patient has received their mammogram, the radiologist analyzes the images within 48 hours.

If the radiologist finds any abnormality in a screening mammogram, the next step will be a diagnostic mammogram where they will take more images to study an area of concern.

"We look for suspicious changes in the breast to include new or abnormal-appearing microcalcifications, masses, areas of architectural distortion, enlarged lymph nodes, or skin thickening," said Air Force Maj. Rob Baril, a 673d MSGS diagnostic radiologist.

"We primarily do this with mammography. Ultrasound is another modality that helps us detect masses and further characterize a lesion of concern," Baril
said.

If cancer is found, the treatment methods may have to be aggressive - as was the case for Rothstein.

"After a day or two of thought, soul-searching and discussion, I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction," Rothstein said.

After the surgery, she participated in a clinical trial of chemotherapy to ensure it was gone.

"I was terrified to hear 'cancer' and 'you have' in the same sentence, but the support from our Anchorage family and friends, as well as other support from
so many around the world, carried us through this challenging time in our lives," Rothstein said.

"I had cancer and I survived."