With breast cancer being such a commonly fatal disease, it is vital for both women and men to understand the preventive measures that can be taken to avoid being cancer’s next victim. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will not guarantee that a person will not get breast cancer, but it will help prevent it.
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| Breast Cancer Incident Rates by Age and Race in the US Statistical Credit: American Cancer Society (ACS) |
Teenagers and adults should all feel the need to know basic facts when it comes to breast cancer. In fact, it seems as if everyone knows someone who has won or lost the fight to this horrible disease.
“My best friend’s mom past away last summer after fighting breast cancer for years,” Kelly Ploeger, a second year Hospitality major said, “she was only 18 and an only child. It was absolutely the hardest thing to see happen, I had no idea what words would comfort her. I could not imagine loosing my mom so young.”
Stories like Ploeger’s friend represent one of millions throughout the world. It is sad to face the fact that cancers can often be unpredictable, and even worse, genetic.
“I actually have asked my doctor if there are self-exams I should be doing on myself,” Ploeger continues, “I don’t want anything to go unnoticed, and I am afraid I don’t know how to recognize the abnormal. Breast cancer is not very active in my family ancestry, but I know my dad’s aunt had won a fight several years ago.”
Breast cancer information has become more and more visible to the public in recent years, and for good reasons. The ongoing battle to conquer cancer depends on an informed public, active voices and adequate funding to continue the research with advanced screenings in technology.
Jody Rippe is an employee of the Los Alamitos Medical Center, and specifically works in the outpatient center, Total Care. Jody has worked with breast mammography and ultrasound for over 27 years, and over 6 years at Total Care.
“My best friend’s mom past away last summer after fighting breast cancer for years,” Kelly Ploeger, a second year Hospitality major said, “she was only 18 and an only child. It was absolutely the hardest thing to see happen, I had no idea what words would comfort her. I could not imagine loosing my mom so young.”
Stories like Ploeger’s friend represent one of millions throughout the world. It is sad to face the fact that cancers can often be unpredictable, and even worse, genetic.
“I actually have asked my doctor if there are self-exams I should be doing on myself,” Ploeger continues, “I don’t want anything to go unnoticed, and I am afraid I don’t know how to recognize the abnormal. Breast cancer is not very active in my family ancestry, but I know my dad’s aunt had won a fight several years ago.”
Breast cancer information has become more and more visible to the public in recent years, and for good reasons. The ongoing battle to conquer cancer depends on an informed public, active voices and adequate funding to continue the research with advanced screenings in technology.
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| Jody Rippe is a Mammography Technician at Los Alamitos Total Care Photo Credit: Kellie Reince |
“Various types of breast procedures include screening and diagnostic mammography, stereotactic core biopsy, ducto-grams, pre-op needle localizations, breast ultrasound and ultrasound guided core biopsy,” Rippe continues, “the screening is all about early detection, and trying to catch something before to can be felt by you or your doctor.”
Ryan Peck, a third year English Education major, has seen the results of breast cancer hit home.
“My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was only a few years old,” continues Peck, “I was obviously not old enough to grasp the severity of the situation, but I grew up knowing what breast cancer was, and more importantly what it could do. Just knowing the disease is genetic makes me prone, and I will start breast exams at a much younger age than others. Better safe than sorry.”
Roughly 10 percent of women are called back for additional imaging after a screening mammogram. Of those, only 8 to 10 percent ultimately wind up with a biopsy of some sort, and approximately 80 percent of the suspicious lumps biopsied are benign.
When students like Ploeger, who are only 20 years-old, want to know how to start prevention action at their age; it can be difficult to understand where to start. However, a person is never too young to become informed how to detect and when to start self checkups.
“I’ve seen breast cancers as young as in their twenties, but it is most common between 50’s and 70’s. The American Cancer Association teaches us that the baseline age for regular mammograms is anywhere from 35-40, and then every year after that,” continues Rippe, “but there is ongoing controversy about detection, and whether it is necessary to have breast checkups every year or every two years. Some people are afraid of the radiation.”
One would assume that a fear of radiation would undermine the fear of a cancer spreading throughout their body. However, that is clearly not always the case. With today’s technological advances overshadowing the old routines of breast examinations, the detection of cancer has not only improved, but the means of screening is less invasive as well.
“Within just the past few years, the newer technology and advancements of machines have evolved to a more digital use,” Rippe continues, “the pictures taken by mammography screens are much more clear, and have phenomenal amount of detail. The ability to magnify has increased and without any increase of radiation to the patient. It saves a lot time.”
With more information available, more funding raised and more precise screening, the general public of all genders and ages should make an effort to seek out knowledge on how to be aware and prepared when it comes breast cancer. It is never worth loosing a life over avoiding a doctor visit.
Ryan Peck, a third year English Education major, has seen the results of breast cancer hit home.
“My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was only a few years old,” continues Peck, “I was obviously not old enough to grasp the severity of the situation, but I grew up knowing what breast cancer was, and more importantly what it could do. Just knowing the disease is genetic makes me prone, and I will start breast exams at a much younger age than others. Better safe than sorry.”
Roughly 10 percent of women are called back for additional imaging after a screening mammogram. Of those, only 8 to 10 percent ultimately wind up with a biopsy of some sort, and approximately 80 percent of the suspicious lumps biopsied are benign.
When students like Ploeger, who are only 20 years-old, want to know how to start prevention action at their age; it can be difficult to understand where to start. However, a person is never too young to become informed how to detect and when to start self checkups.
“I’ve seen breast cancers as young as in their twenties, but it is most common between 50’s and 70’s. The American Cancer Association teaches us that the baseline age for regular mammograms is anywhere from 35-40, and then every year after that,” continues Rippe, “but there is ongoing controversy about detection, and whether it is necessary to have breast checkups every year or every two years. Some people are afraid of the radiation.”
One would assume that a fear of radiation would undermine the fear of a cancer spreading throughout their body. However, that is clearly not always the case. With today’s technological advances overshadowing the old routines of breast examinations, the detection of cancer has not only improved, but the means of screening is less invasive as well.
“Within just the past few years, the newer technology and advancements of machines have evolved to a more digital use,” Rippe continues, “the pictures taken by mammography screens are much more clear, and have phenomenal amount of detail. The ability to magnify has increased and without any increase of radiation to the patient. It saves a lot time.”
With more information available, more funding raised and more precise screening, the general public of all genders and ages should make an effort to seek out knowledge on how to be aware and prepared when it comes breast cancer. It is never worth loosing a life over avoiding a doctor visit.
