Breast Care Clinic
The Women�s Center
When The Women�s Center introduced the region�s first comprehensive Breast
Care Clinic in 1991, it was a new idea for the Ozarks. We know that when
it comes to breast health, women need someone to talk to, someone who
will understand their concerns and answer their questions. At the Breast
Care Clinic you�ll find a caring staff of experts committed to exceptional
quality standards.
Breast Cancer Facts
- One in nine women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
- Breast cancer accounts for 32% of all cancers that occur in women.
- Approximately 80% of all breast lumps are NOT breast cancer.
- Less than 1% of all breast cancers occur in men.
- Approximately 75% of women who develop breast cancer have NO significant
risk factors.
Guidelines for Early Detection
The American Medical Association, The American College of Radiology,
and The American Cancer Society recommend the following three-step approach
to breast health:
- Mammography - Beginning at age 40, have a mammogram
every year.
- Breast Self-Exam - Beginning at age 20, examine your
breasts every month.
- Clinical Breast Exam - Ages 20-39: Have a breast
exam performed by your health care provider every three years. Ages
40 and older: Have a breast exam performed by your health care
provider every year.
If you have questions about how to do breast self-exam, call The Women's
Center at 417/886-LADY for assistance and instruction.
What is a Mammogram?
Mammography is a low-dose X-ray of the breast. The radiation risk associated
with mammography is very minimal compared to the risk of death from not
detecting breast cancer early. The radiation risk would be equivalent
to spending four hours in the sun.
Female radiological technologists who have received specialized training
and certification perform mammogram exams at The Women's Center Breast
Care Clinic. During your mammogram, you will stand close to the machine,
and the technologist will lift your breast into place. A plastic plate
is placed on your breast to flatten and compress your breast tissue. Compression
is important to allow any abnormalities to be seen.
Mammogram films are interpreted by radiologists. The radiologist carefully
compares mammogram images from your past exams to current films. The radiologist
will send a report about your mammogram to your physician, and will notify
you of the results by mail.
Important Reasons to have a Mammogram
- Finding breast cancer at an early stage may save your life.
- Early detection often relates to less aggressive treatment including
surgery.
- Most women who develop breast cancer have NO history of breast cancer
in their family.
Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
A mammogram will often detect breast changes before you notice any symptoms.
If you experience any of the following, they should be reported to your
physician:
- A painful lump or thickening in your breast or surrounding tissue
- Any thickening or swelling that persists
- Nipple inversion or retraction
- Skin dimpling or puckering
- Any spontaneous discharge from the nipple
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Although 75% of women who develop breast cancer have no significant risk
factors, the following may increase your risk:
- Increasing age
- Family history - you are two to three times more likely to develop
breast cancer if your mother or sister has had breast cancer.
- Previous breast cancer
- Diet - you are more likely to develop breast cancer if you are more
than 20% above your ideal weight. A diet high in fat has been linked
to increased risk.
- National origin - breast cancer occurs more often in women of North
American and Northern European origin.
- Long menstrual history (early onset and late menopause)
- Pregnancy late or never - breast cancer occurs more often in women
who have never been pregnant or whose first pregnancy occurred after
the age of 30.
Factors that DO NOT seem to increase risk include:
- Injury to the breast
- Sexual stimulation
- Breastfeeding
What is Fibrocystic Breast Condition?
Fibrocystic Breast Condition may also be called Fibrocystic Disease,
Cystic Disease, or Chronic Cystic Mastitis. Fibrocystic changes are NOT
cancer. These changes are related to the way the tissue of the breast
responds to the hormones estrogen and progesterone in your body. The milk
glands and milk ducts respond to the hormones by becoming larger and retaining
fluid. This fluid can become trapped and the pockets that develop are
called cysts.
Breast Biopsy
Stereotactic breast biopsy has been performed at The Women�s Center Breast
Care Clinic since 1991. This is a less invasive method of obtaining tissue
needed to diagnose breast disease. After a local anesthetic is placed
in the breast, a small (1/4 inch) incision is made in the skin. Using
digital image guidance, several small samples of tissue are removed from
the breast with a thin needle. These tissue samples are used by the pathologist
to evaluate breast changes.
Ultrasound core biopsy is another minimally invasive method of obtaining
tissue needed to diagnose breast disease. After a local anesthetic is
placed in the breast, a small (1/4 inch) incision is made in the skin.
Using ultrasound image guidance, several small samples of tissue are removed
from the breast with at thin needle. These tissue samples are used by
the pathologist to evaluate breast changes.
Breast Prostheses and Mastectomy Bras
The Women�s Center Breast Care Clinic offers a full line of breast prostheses
and mastectomy bras. For a free consultation and customized fitting by
our certified staff, call 417/886-LADY for an appointment.
Breast Cancer Support Group
REACH Together Support Group meets monthly on the second Thursday at
7 p.m. in The Women�s Center Breast Care Clinic.
Breast Cancer Awareness Activities and Events
Each year, The Women�s Center Breast Care Clinic hosts a variety of activities
and events to raise awareness about breast cancer:
Ozarks Women's Links Golf Tournament
A ladies-only tournament held annually in the fall. The entry fee for
this 18-hole, two-woman scramble includes greens fee, golf cart, gift
packet and an awards luncheon. Funds raised since the first Ozarks Women's
Links in 1997 have been used to:
- purchase breast self-exam kits which have been distributed to thousands
of women in the Ozarks
- purchase a new hand-held Mammotome biopsy instrument which allows
some women to forego more invasive breast surgery
- establish a fund to assist women in paying for mammographic procedures.
Pink Ribbon Rally
The pink ribbon is a symbol of hope for those affected by breast cancer.
The Pink Ribbon Rally is our annual celebration for breast cancer survivors,
their friends and families. Our program for this event may be inspirational
or humorous -- and it is always an uplifting and enjoyable time of sharing
and comaraderie for all who attend.
Pink Ribbon Lunch & Learn
The Women's Center Breast Care Clinic and The American Cancer Society
partner each year to present the Pink Ribbon Lunch & Learn. Guests
gather to enjoy lunch and have their questions about breast cancer answered
by a panel of Cox physicians.
For more information about breast cancer, call us or visit the Joyce
Schwandt Library, located within The Women's Center.
Top of page |
