When was the last time you had a mammogram? Cape Regional Medical Center in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Central and South Jersey is proud to present its Breast Health Awareness program to assist women ages 40 and up in the maintenance of their breast health. Program participants receive assistance with appointment scheduling and can even qualify for financial aid with partial cost. Mammograms are also available for women who are residents of Cape May County and are uninsured.
Best of all, program participants receive a $10 TD Bank gift card to use however they may choose after obtaining their mammogram. The program runs until March 31, 2014. To sign up or for more information, please call Parish Nurse/Center for Lifestyle Management at (609) 463-4043 or (609) 463-2599. Cape Regional and Susan G. Komen would like to remind all Cape May County residents that, “Early detection is the best protection”! Read on for Cape Regional Medical Center’s Breast Health facts and tips.
BREAST HEALTH AWARENESS
In Cape May County, women over 65 years of age are not getting mammograms regularly. This county has a high number of women who are not diagnosed with breast cancer early enough to benefit from treatment.
YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING BREAST CANCER
• Age – as you get older, your chances increases
• Your History – if you have/had breast cancer in one breast, you could get it in the other
• Family History – mother, sister, or daughter having it increases your chance
• Gene Changes – BRCA1 and BRCA2; having these increases your chance
• Reproductive History – if you had your first child over 40 years of age or first period before the age of 12 or if you never had children, chances are increased
• Race – more of a chance if you are white
• Being Overweight – especially after menopause, increases chances
• Drinking Alcohol – the more you drink, the greater the chance (Limit to 1 drink per day)
KNOW YOUR RISK
• Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
• Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer
GET SCREENED
• Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
• Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
• Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40.
KNOW WHAT IS NORMAL FOR YOU
See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:
• Lump, hard knot or thickening in any part of the breast
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that does not go away
MAKE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES
• Maintain a healthy weight (Women: waist size under 35 inches)
• Add exercise into your routine (30 minutes a day)
• Limit alcohol intake (Limit 1 per day)
• Limit postmenopausal hormone use
• Breastfeed, if you can (women of child bearing years)
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