15 FAQs About Breast Cancer in Florida
Author: Home Helpers Home Care
Senior Care in Clearwater, FL and Surrounding Areas
Chances are, if you have not received a breast cancer diagnosis, you know someone who has. Breast cancer is most common in women, but men can also develop the disease.
I know friends and clients of Home Helpers who have contended with breast cancer, so I realize how scary it can be and how many questions there are about the disease itself, treatment options, and possible outcomes.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so I want to explore the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) and provide brief answers from our local cancer specialists at Moffitt Cancer Center.
How do you perform a breast self-exam? Researchers estimate that up to 40% of breast cancers are initially detected by a woman who felt a lump while performing a breast self-exam. Visually examine your breasts for changes in symmetry, shape, volume, and appearance. Is there dimpling, puckering, or redness? Check the nipples for unusual discharge or inversion. Use your right hand to check your left breast and your left hand for your right breast. Check for lumps, masses thickened areas, knots, or changes in texture. Gently squeeze each nipple to check for unusual discharge. Lie face-up on a bed or couch with one hand behind your head. Check your breast area as previously described.
What does a breast cancer lump feel like? In the early stages, most breast cancer lumps are too small to be detected by touch. In some cases, it’s possible to feel a breast cancer lump when it’s about a half inch in diameter. But the ability to feel a lump can depend a great deal on where in the breast it’s located, the size of a woman’s breast, the density of her breast tissue, and other factors. Generally, breast cancer lumps tend to feel hard, firm, and solid, and they have irregular edges. However, it’s important to remember that some breast cancer lumps can be soft and smooth to the touch, so you should consult with your doctor whenever you feel a lump in your breast or armpit.
What do you do if you find a lump in your breast? If you find a lump in your breast, there is no need to panic. Instead, take a deep breath and remember: Breast lumps are common, and the vast majority are benign. Only a trained healthcare professional can make that crucial determination. Promptly schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider, such as your primary care physician or a breast specialist at Moffitt. Breast cancer is highly treatable, and a timely and accurate diagnosis is the key to achieving the best possible outcome and quality of life. Your physician can perform a thorough physical examination focused specifically on your breast lump.
Are there symptoms of breast cancer? Because the symptoms can be frustratingly vague, many women are hesitant to discuss their experiences with an oncologist – even when it is appropriate to do so. Generally speaking, a visit to a medical professional is in order if symptoms such as breast pain, swelling or a change in fullness do not go away on their own after several days. Also, the following symptoms should be brought to the attention of a physician right away: discharge from the nipple; inversion of the nipple, or a change in the texture of the breast skin.
What are the most common types of breast cancer? Of the various types of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma is the most common. Lobular carcinomas are slightly less common but still account for 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses. These two types of cancer can either be in situ (limited to the site of origin) or invasive (having spread to other parts of the breast, such as the fatty tissues or the lymph nodes). Other types of breast cancer include Inflammatory breast cancer, which can develop in a variety of breast cells and eventually block the lymph nodes, causing inflammation; Paget disease of the nipple, which develops in the breast ducts and spreads to the nipple; Angiosarcomas, which develop in the cells that line the blood vessels of the breast; and Phyllodes tumors, which develop in the connective tissues of the breast.
What should I expect from my first mammogram? Most mammograms take just 10 to 20 minutes. You’ll be asked to change into a wrap in a private dressing area. An X-ray technician will then position each of your breasts in a mammogram machine, one at a time. While your breast rests on a fixed plate for support, an upper plate will gently compress it, which will allow for a more detailed image. Meanwhile, the technician will use the machine to generate several images of your breast tissue. Some women find the compression to be a bit uncomfortable, but it typically does not hurt. If you’re concerned about discomfort, you can take an over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol an hour or two prior to your mammogram.
How often should I receive a breast cancer screening? Your best option is to consult with your physician about the most appropriate screening tests for your specific needs. Some people have a higher risk of developing cancer than others, and those individuals may benefit from earlier or more frequent screenings. Your physician can review your personal and family medical history and other factors to determine the best approach for you.
How long after diagnosis should I receive breast cancer treatment? If you’ve recently received a diagnosis of breast cancer, getting treatment is likely the first thing on your mind. In general, the sooner you can receive treatment, the better. However, this does not mean you need to rush into treatment the same day you receive a diagnosis. Your physician may recommend receiving treatment within a month or two of the diagnosis. Before receiving treatment, though, there may be additional tests or consultations that are necessary.
What are the signs that breast cancer has spread? Metastatic breast cancer is a secondary cancer—the cancerous cells originate in breast tissue and then travel to other parts of the body. The most common areas of breast cancer metastasis are the bones, lungs, and liver. Following an initial breast cancer diagnosis, a patient will receive a personalized monitoring plan for metastatic reoccurrence from their care team.
Where does breast cancer spread first? Like all forms of cancer, breast cancer can potentially spread (metastasize) beyond the breast tissue where it initially developed to other areas of the body. In order for breast cancer metastasis to occur, cancerous cells must break away from the original tumor and attach themselves to the outer wall of a lymph vessel or a blood vessel. Then, the cancer must penetrate the vessel wall so that it can flow with the blood or lymphatic fluid to reach a lymph node or organ.
What should I expect with a total mastectomy? If your physician has recommended a total mastectomy to treat breast cancer, you likely have a lot of questions. This surgical procedure, also called a simple mastectomy, involves the removal of the entire breast and is commonly recommended as treatment for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or as a preventive measure for those who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Will I need chemotherapy after a total mastectomy? A total mastectomy is the surgical removal of the entire breast to treat breast cancer. A physician may recommend this treatment on its own or in combination with another therapy, such as chemotherapy. When chemotherapy is provided after surgery, it is called adjuvant chemotherapy. Whether or not chemotherapy is recommended following a total mastectomy will depend on many different factors, including the patient’s overall health, age, and medical history as well as the type, stage, and nature of the breast cancer.
Can breast cancer recur after a mastectomy? A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes an entire breast. This procedure may be used as a treatment for breast cancer or a preventative measure for individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer. If your physician has recommended a mastectomy as part of your treatment plan, you may be wondering if this procedure will prevent breast cancer recurrence. Although a mastectomy removes all of the breast tissue, there is still a chance that breast cancer can return.
How do I manage the side effects of breast cancer treatment? The side effects of breast cancer treatment can vary depending on the type of treatment, the patient’s overall health and other unique factors. In general, some patients experience overwhelming fatigue, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, appetite changes, unintended weight loss or gain, pain or discomfort, skin changes, menopausal symptoms, cognitive changes, emotional changes, tissue swelling due to fluid buildup, bone loss, and fertility issues.
Will anything help lessen the side effects of breast cancer treatment? During and after breast cancer treatment, it is important for the patient to discuss any side effects with their healthcare team and to explore any available support services, such as medication management, supplements and nutritional counseling, exercise and physical therapy, relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga, therapeutic massage, counseling and psychological support, and spiritual support.
At Home Helpers® Clearwater, I employ amazing, compassionate caregivers who help senior women and men every day, and each one of these caregivers is ready, willing, and able to help with transportation assistance to and from doctor appointments, mammograms, and treatments for breast cancer. This also includes support with personal care, light housekeeping, nutritious meal planning and preparation, respite care for family caregivers, and so much more.
I welcome the opportunity to meet you or your loved one with breast cancer for a FREE Consultation to identify specific ways we can help. After our discussion, I will develop a customized care plan to make life easier for women and men battling breast cancer.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Home Care Pulse Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers and to have received these awards in 2024: Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, as well as being named a Caring.com 2023 Caring Super Star.
We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Port Richey, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539
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