Early detection, prevention can be a lifesaver Published Oct. 9, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- October officially became National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985. Since then, the world has made many strides in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. "There is a lot of misinformation about breast cancer, the natural history of it and just the whole process," said Maj. Michael Barrows, 375th Medical Group breast imaging chief. "I've talked to patients during diagnostics and they are only looking for lumps and bumps, but there are 25 different types of breast cancer. "Breast cancer awareness items talk about a cure, but breast cancer can be cured," Major Barrows continued. "Many people think of breast cancer as a death sentence, but if found in an early stage and confined, survivability is 95-98 percent." The one thing that women are trained to look for are lumps and bumps, but women find lumps and bumps frequently. This does not mean that they have breast cancer. "Women need to look for change," said Major Barrows. "They need to examine the look and feel in breast tissue." There are several indications of breast cancer that do not involve lumps, including thickening of skin, dimpling and discharge. "Some women may not have any indication, other than their breasts become bigger," Major Barrows added. In order for women to become more familiar with their breasts, they should perform a self breast exam once a week for two months and observe the changes. "There will be changes that fluctuate with hormones, but cancer does not change rapidly," said Major Barrows. After two months, women should return to performing self breast exams monthly. Men can also be affected by breast cancer. More than 11,000 men develop breast cancer a year, and men have a higher death rate because they do not think they can get it. "As a man gets older their testosterone levels drop, which stimulates estrogen production and puts men at risk," said Major Barrows. "Detection and prevention is the same in men as women and they face the same changes." To further breast cancer prevention, women should begin clinical exams at the age of 20 and continue to do so every three years. When a woman reaches the age of 40, clinical breast exams should be performed annually. Women should also have annual mammograms beginning at the age of 40, unless there is a family history. A diet high in fat, lack of exercise, hormone replacements and oral contraceptives are all risk factors for breast cancer. The 375th MDG will promote breast cancer awareness with an informational table in the main pharmacy and by wearing pink ribbons. A conference will also be held today from noon to 2 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria about breast cancer awareness.