Five Things Every Woman Needs to Know about Breast and Lung Cancer
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One in three women will develop cancer in her lifetime.
But there is hope. With many screening tools available to women of all ages and with greater awareness of our own bodies, prevention and early intervention are becoming increasingly possible.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to two of the most common forms of cancer affecting women: breast and lung.
1. Breast cancer is NOT the leading form of cancer deaths among women.
Surprised? With pink ribbons adorning just about everything, there’s much awareness about the disease. But when it comes to women’s cancer deaths, the biggest cause is lung cancer, which claims twice as many women every year as breast cancer.
Part of this can be attributed to the fact that lung cancers are most often detected in their advanced stages. Early detection and quick interventions can have a huge impact. The Leever Cancer Center, working with area pulmonologists and radiologists, has recently championed a lung cancer screening program that’s now being used by area physicians to find high-risk patients who are eligible to receive a low-dose CT scan. Ask your doctor how this test (covered by Medicare and Medicaid) can help detect the disease in its most treatable stages.
2. There’s an easy way to prevent some lung cancers – and it has NOTHING to do with smoking.
So are cigarettes and secondhand exposure the only “smoking” guns when it comes to lung cancer? Experts say that although smoking continues to be the greatest risk factor (learn about our free ongoing smoking cessation groups at
leevercancercenter.org), nearly 15 percent of lung cancers are found in people who have never picked up a cigarette in their life. Why?
While we may not fully understand all the reasons, we do know of one risk agent lurking in many Connecticut homes. It’s radon… and long-term exposure to high levels can increase your lung cancer risk. Testing your home for this odorless gas is a simple way to determine if a mitigation system is needed to keep your family breathing safely.
3. The rate of female breast cancer in Connecticut is higher than in most other states.
It’s not known for sure why, but it’s an important statistic to remind us of the importance of staying on top of your mammogram schedule.
4. You are your own breast advocate.
For many years breast screening guidelines have been subject to debate among leading experts.
Each month, our Leever Breast Program Leadership Group meets to ensure that Leever continues to achieve the high standards set forth by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Having carefully studied and considered the various guidelines recommended by several professional societies, our Leever breast specialists urge all women over the age of 40 to receive annual mammograms. Women with a strong family history of breast cancer should talk with their doctor about screening at earlier ages.
But guidelines and screening tools are only effective when used. When it comes to your own health, you are your own best advocate. Be aware of your cancer risk factors and proactively ask for the screenings you need.
5. If you’re dense, take action.
Dr. Nancy Cappello, founder of Are You Dense?, explained that about 40 percent of women in the U.S. have dense breast tissue. It’s a population of women, she notes, that could benefit from additional screenings to help reveal tumors that may otherwise remain hidden by dense tissue on a mammogram.
So what to do? Cappello advises all women to request a copy of their mammography report generated by their radiologist. “Connecticut law mandates radiologist reports to include information on breast density. If dense tissue is noted, ask your doctor to order an ultrasound or MRI.”