W
hen it comes to breast cancer, you can’t be too
curious. Here are some potentially lifesaving
answers to questions about this all-too-common
cancer.
Q
What are the warning signs
of breast cancer?
A
e most common symptom is a new lump in your
breast. Alert your doctor if you notice any new
lump or mass. Also tell him or her if you have any of these
other possible signs or symptoms of breast cancer:
Swelling of all or part of a breast, even if you can’t feel a
distinct lump
Dimpling or puckering in the breast skin
Redness, scaliness or thickening of a nipple or breast
skin or a nipple turned inward
SAVE THE DATE!
5th Annual
BREAST CANCER SYMPOSIUM
Please join us. RSVP by visiting
valleycare.com/educationseminars
.
ValleyCare will host the 5th Annual Breast Cancer Symposium—Healing the Mind, Body
and Spirit. It’s free and open to anyone concerned about breast cancer and its prevention.
Light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Dr. Rakesh Patel, fromValleyCare Regional Cancer Center and the Targeted
Radiation Institute, will emcee the event. Speakers will include Dr. Ruby Chang,
a ValleyCare radiologist who will talk on Breast Screening Recommendations,
as well as Dr. Rishi Sawhney, a ValleyCare medical oncologist who will speak
about DNA and Drugs. Other speakers fromThe SandraWing Foundation,
Tri-Valley SOCKs and HERS Foundation will also be featured.
Important Answers About
Breast or nipple pain
Nipple discharge (other than breast milk), especially if
it’s bloody
Q
How often should I have
a mammogram?
A
Most women should have a mammogram every
year starting at age 40. Regular mammograms can
nd tumors that are still so tiny that not even the most
experienced doctor can feel them. And detecting breast
cancer at an early stage increases the chances that it can
be treated successfully.
However, if you have an above-average risk of breast
cancer—for instance, if you have a family history of the
disease—you may need to start getting mammograms
before age 40. You might also need more frequent
mammograms than is typically advised.
Q
Should I get a 3D ultrasound
breast scan?
A
Women with dense breast tissue have up to ve
times the risk of breast cancer. ree-dimensional
ultrasound is an excellent tool for imaging patients with
dense breast tissue. It has the unique ability to outline
structures or abnormalities within dense tissue.
Mammograms are still the gold standard and 3D
ultrasound should be used in conjunction with
mammography.
Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute
Breast Cancer
TheWomen’s Imaging Center at ValleyCare
o ers digital mammography, as well as
3D ultrasound for breast imaging, and is conveniently
located at 5725W. Las Positas in Pleasanton. Do
yourself a favor and schedule an appointment today.
Call
925 734 3376
.
Oct. 23, 2014
5:30 to 8:30pm
Palm Event Center
1184 Vineyard Ave.
Pleasanton
2
| Fall 2014
