Submitted by Angela Lunn, (APNP, FNP-C)
Medical Services Manager, NorthLakes Community Clinic
This month marks everyone’s favorite month, especially if you like pink! October is breast cancer awareness month. It is our chance to talk and bring awareness to breast cancer for both women and men. Yes, men are also at risk. So let’s jump right into it. 
Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women besides skin cancer. It is reported that one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their life. When the first lump is usually noticed, it is localized within the milk glands or the ducts of the breast. The lump that is felt during an exam is the breast tissue changing at an uncontrolled rate. This lump can be painless and very small. When the lump is found during this early stage of treatment, it is usually easier for the patient. This is why self-breast exams are an important routine to get into.
One in every one hundred men will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Their symptoms may be very similar to that of a woman. They may have a lump or swelling in that breast, flaky dry red skin on or near the breast, nipple discharge, irritation or dimpling of the breast, and nipple pain with a pulling sensation. Men at high risk are those with genetic mutations like the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Aging, family history of breast cancer, radiation therapy, obesity, and hormone therapy all increase the risk of men having breast cancer. If you notice any of these symptoms, please reach out to your friendly primary care provider.
A self-breast exam is a simple and easy way for a man or woman to screen for breast cancer and can be done at home. Developing a routine with a self-breast exam is key to early detection. Self-breast exams can start at any time during a woman’s childbearing years. The sooner one becomes familiar with their breast, the easier it is to detect something abnormal. This routine should be done monthly. The best time for women to do this exam is around the same time every month and the reason being is their monthly hormone cycle. Hormones can alter how your breast feels and looks. Developing this monthly routine will allow the time for you to get to know the feel and shape of your breast. Other things people should look for when doing these exams are swelling of the breast, skin dimpling, breast or nipple pain, nipple retraction, and skin that is red, dry, flaking, or thickened, nipple discharge, and swollen lymph nodes under or near the armpit. Knowing your breasts will make you aware of any new lumps, masses, or bumps. When any of the symptoms listed above are noticed, it is best to make an appointment with your provider for further evaluation.
When a lump is felt, it is best to ask yourself what is the size, and whether has it changed. Is the shape well defined? Is the lump movable or in a fixed location? All of these characteristics will help give you a good baseline if the lump has changed in any way. You can also relate these findings to your provider as well to better assess.
Along with a self-breast exam, a mammogram is the go-to screening tool used to detect breast cancer. It is recommended that women the age of 50 without high-risk factors have their first mammogram. If the patient does have risk factors, a mammogram may be recommended earlier than the age of 50. If the mammogram is normal then a woman should repeat this screening every two years. Is this a pleasant experience? No, but it is the easiest way to have that early detection, which leads to easier treatment and more successful treatment. If you ask me, I would rather squeeze a boob than lose a boob.
I also wanted to take some time and bring awareness to a program that Wisconsin offers women to help afford these screenings. It is called The Wisconsin Well Woman program (WWWP). This program is offered to the women of Wisconsin that are unable to afford their annual women’s wellness screenings, which include mammograms. WWWP partners with local hospitals to offer mammograms for women at little or no cost to the patient. Getting enrolled in the program does require some paperwork but our staff at NorthLakes is very familiar with the process and can help you navigate that route if needed. When enrolled in the program you will be connected with a coordinator that will help you every step of the way. The other great thing this program offers is if cancer is detected, your coordinator will help you transition into their insurance program where most if not all of your treatment will be covered. I know that is great!
So big or small save them all and check your bumps for lumps.
Angela Lunn is a Nurse Practitioner and Medical Services Manager at NorthLakes Community Clinic.
