Along with observing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, recognition is given to Baptist Medical Center-Attala for its contribution of services offered toward prevention of the disease.
The hospital mammography department with its digital equipment is under the direction of Dr. Chris B. Threadgill, Radiology Administrator. He was recently awarded his doctorate degree in health care administration from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The department is certified by the American College of Radiology and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
The fulltime registered mammographer is Nickie Carpenter, ARRT (R) (M). Other registered mammographers are Bridget Whittemore, Susanne Edwards and Vickky Lagrone.
Mammograms are offered four days each week at the hospital. Readings are electronically transmitted for results.
With early detection of breast cancer emphasized as a factor in having a greater chance of survival, Dr. Threadgill and staff are committed to doing their part in making this a reality.
Risk Factors
Most women who have one or more breast cancer risk factors never develop breast cancer, while many women with breast cancer have no known risk factors (other than being a woman and growing older). Even when a woman with risk factors develops breast cancer, it is hard to know just how much these factors might have contributed.
Some risk factors, like a person's age or race, can not be changed. Other risk factors are linked to cancer-causing factors in the environment or to personal behaviors, such as smoking, drinking and diet. Some factors affect risk more than others, and the risk for breast cancer can change over time, due to things like aging or lifestyle. Simply being a woman is the main risk factor for breast cancer. Men can have breast cancer, too, but this disease is about 100 times more common in women than in men. This might be because men have less of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, which can promote breast cancer cell growth.
Getting older
As you get older, risk of breast cancer goes up. Most invasive breast cancers (those that have spread from where they started) are found in women age 55 and older.
Inherited genes
About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, meaning that they result directly from gene defects (called mutations) passed on from a parent.
BRCA1 and BRCA2
The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In normal cells, these genes help prevent cancer by making proteins that help keep the cells from growing abnormally. Mutated versions of these genes cannot stop abnormal growth, and that can lead to cancer.
Those who have inherited a mutated copy of either gene from a parent have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Making breast cancer less likely
There are steps women can take that may make developing breast cancer less likely. These include eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and limiting the amount of alcohol.
Leading a healthy lifestyle will not eliminate the chance of getting breast cancer, but it may also help reduce risk.
Chances of survival
“If I am diagnosed with breast cancer, what are my chances of surviving?” is a common question women ask.
In general, pretty good. According to the American Cancer Society Facts and Figures, the five year survival rate for all women diagnosed with breast cancer is 90 percent. This statistic means that 90 out of every 100 women with breast cancer will survive without a recurrence for at least five years. Most will live a full life and are better if the cancer is detected early, before it spreads to other parts of the body. In fact, when breast cancer is confined to the breast, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. That is why it is so important to take steps to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, according to the American Cancer Society.
