Make Health Your Habit

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women. However, when found in its earliest stages, breast cancer can be stopped from spreading, is more treatable and nearly 100% curable. Screening is the best way to find breast cancer early. Let’s talk about mammograms as well as the right way to perform a self breast exam.

Mammograms

When should I start getting mammograms?

Unless you have a new breast problem or need to start screenings earlier because of risk, most guidelines recommend starting screening mammography at age 40.
How often should I get a mammogram?

Guidelines differ somewhat but are consistent that if you are of average risk, you should have them at least every other year.  If you are at increased risk, including having dense breast tissue or a family history of breast cancer,  it is recommended that you get an annual mammography screening and possibly enhanced screenings with MRI, ultrasound or contrast enhanced mammography.

Is getting a mammogram dangerous to my health?

While there is a small radiation exposure with every mammogram, the benefit of early detection of small, curable cancers almost always outweighs that risk of exposure.

Does it hurt to get a mammogram?

Some women do find mammograms uncomfortable.  This is more common when having imaging just before your menstrual period when breast tissue can be swollen and more sensitive.  If you do have extra sensitivity, scheduling the exam after your cycle starts or taking an over-the-counter NSAID pain reliever* a few hours before the exam may minimize the discomfort.  Because positioning of the breast and taking each mammogram image is typically less than 30 seconds, the extent of discomfort during the exam is short-lived.

*NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve) and aspirin.

Breast self-exam options

What is the correct technique for a breast self-exam?

Any pattern for feeling all of your breast tissue is acceptable. The goal is to make sure you are feeling with varying pressure from your collar bone to cleavage, to the bottom of the breast out to past where your breast meets your chest wall, including your armpit.

How often should I do a breast self-exam?

Self-exams should not be done too often because it can make it difficult to tell if a lump is evolving over time. Think of how hard it is to tell if your appearance changes gradually as you get older because you see yourself every day, compared to more easily seeing changes in someone’s appearance after not seeing them for a long time. Typically, once a month is enough.

Is there a best time to do a breast self-exam?

 It is important to do your breast self-exam in approximately the same time in your cycle rather than a specific interval—especially since not all menstrual cycles are exactly 28 days apart.  Doing the exam at the same place in your cycle will give you consistency in how the tissue should feel in terms of lumpiness, texture and density. 
I encourage my patients to do their exam the day after their cycle starts as a consistent point in their hormonal cycle fluctuations.

What am I actually looking for during a breast self-exam?

Your breast self-exam should be a tool to familiarize yourself with the general “normal texture” of the tissue in each of your breasts so if you detect something that is different, you will be able to identify it as new or changed. 

Can a breast self-exam replace a mammogram?

Self-breast exams cannot replace mammograms because mammograms can detect subtle changes like densities or calcifications that are too small to feel. The goal with screening mammograms is to detect breast cancer before you can feel it because early detection leads to better overall outcomes.
Learn more about breast cancer screening and treatment at Wellstar. 

To serve our community’s growing healthcare needs, Wellstar opened new urgent care, primary care and pediatric cardiology locations at 76 East Paulding Drive in Dallas.

Primary care & mental wellness

People in Paulding County can now receive high-quality, evidence-based whole person care at the new Wellstar GME Internal Medicine—which also serves as a teaching center for doctors completing their residency. This practice offers typical primary care as well as mental and emotional health services.

Services include wellness exams, vaccinations, treatment for illnesses like the flu, management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and mental health support.

Schedule an appointment at our new primary care location in Dallas by calling (943) 202-9020. 

Urgent care 

If you’re dealing with a minor injury or illness or need care after your physician’s regular office hours, going to urgent care is often the right choice. Wellstar Urgent Care centers provide quick, convenient care for non-emergency medical conditions such as coughs, colds, sprains, broken bones and minor bites, burns and cuts.

Check in at our new urgent care location in Dallas or call (943) 202-9000.

Pediatric heart care

Our pediatric cardiology experts can evaluate and create comprehensive treatment plans for children and teenagers with congenital heart defects, arrhythmias (heart rhythm disorders), chest pain, heart palpitations, high blood pressure/cholesterol, fainting, cardiomyopathies and heart failure as well as fetal (prenatal) cardiology. Wellstar Children's of Georgia pediatric cardiology specialists provide comprehensive, coordinated care with a multidisciplinary team, which may include pediatric heart surgeons and electrophysiologists (heart rhythm specialists), as well as medical geneticists, pediatric nurses and dietitians.

Schedule an appointment at our new pediatric cardiology location in Dallas or call (470) 956-9171.

The main role of a primary care clinician is to keep you healthy at every age and stage of life. To keep you feeling your best, these experts are trained to:

• Get to know and understand your unique health needs. Your primary care team can keep you on track with your individual wellness goals, whether you are planning to start a family, need help managing a chronic illness or want to maintain a healthy weight.
• Coordinate care and provide referrals for specialists. Your primary care team can quickly and seamlessly get you in touch with the robust network of medical experts, such as cardiologists, oncologists, neurologists and more at Wellstar.
• Keep you up-to-date on immunizations and vaccinations. You can build up your body’s immunity to common diseases and protect your health with the latest vaccines, all ordered by your primary care clinician.
• Order appropriate health screenings, diagnostic tests and follow-up care. If your wellness check-up reveals certain risk factors, chronic conditions or new diagnoses, your primary care clinician can help you get the right treatment fast.
• Treat you for acute illnesses, such as colds or the flu. When you feel under the weather, your established primary care clinician can often get you an appointment sooner so you can feel better.

Learn more about primary care at Wellstar.