Sanford providers: Remember regular breast cancer screenings
Oct. 4, 2023
Contact:
Jessica Schindeldecker
Sanford Health Senior Communications Specialist
(701) 200-6080/ Jessica.Schindeldecker@SanfordHealth.org
JAMESTOWN, N.D. – October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Sanford Health Jamestown wants to stress the importance of regular screening and breast self-awareness.
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in American women, and 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, which is why annual screenings and breast awareness are key components to staying healthy.
Breast awareness begins with getting to know your body with self-exams, or at-home inspection of your breasts, and can help you notice even the smallest changes right away. There are several things women should watch for, such as any lump or mass that feels different than surrounding tissue, changes in the skin such as thickening or swelling, changes to the nipple such as pulling in or discharge, skin changes to the nipple such as flaking or redness, and skin changes on the breast itself such as redness or rash.
A mammogram is the most common screening method and helps detect changes in the breast that are too small to feel or see. Low dose 3D mammography provides state-of-the-art imaging, helping find cancers earlier than ever. Mammograms are recommended for women with average risk starting at age 40.
“Breast screening is the cornerstone of early detection in the fight against breast cancer,” said Dr. Sarah Schatz, Sanford Health Jamestown, family medicine. “It offers the opportunity to catch the disease in its earliest and most treatable stages, ultimately saving lives. Regular screenings empower women to take control of their health and well-being.”
When breast cancer is detected early, patients have lower mortality rates, better treatment options and a reduced chance of reoccurrence. Women who are at a higher risk should talk with their doctors, who might recommend starting to screen at a younger age or more often.
Patients can schedule a mammography at Sanford Jamestown by calling 701-253-4016.
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves more than one million patients and 201,000 health plan members across 250,000 square miles. The integrated health system has 46 medical centers, 2,800 Sanford physicians and advanced practice providers, 170 clinical investigators and research scientists, 186 Good Samaritan Society senior living centers and world clinics in nine countries around the globe. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
