October has become the month to focus on breast cancer. Health professionals around the Hudson Valley agree that the disease has changed in recent years with a much better survival rate, especially when the cancer is detected early.
One in eight women. That’s the sobering statistic from the National Breast Cancer Foundation of the number of women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The good news: when breast cancer is detected at an early stage, treatment has a better chance of being successful. Promising research is continuing at a rapid pace, bringing ongoing encouraging advances in preventing, detecting, and treating breast cancer.
Early Detection Saves Lives
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), next to skin cancer, breast cancer ranks as the most common cancer among American women. But, getting mammograms on a regular schedule is helping increase the breast cancer survival rate. In fact, the recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: if you are 50 to 74 years old, you should have a screening mammogram every two years and If you are 40 to 49 years old, you should consult your doctor about when to start and how frequently to have a screening mammogram.
Treating the whole patient
Lyda E. Rojas Carroll, MD, FACS, director of Breast Surgery at CareMount Medical, considers breast surgery as just one aspect of breast cancer treatment. “Caring for a patient means caring for the whole person,” Dr. Rojas explains. “Our practice provide patients with a variety of alternative therapies including yoga and massage to aid in their healing. Patients often point to these therapies as key to the healing process.”
Keeping treatment close to home
The WMCHealth Cancer Institute has a comprehensive breast cancer program that is committed to providing patients cutting-edge treatments, clinical trials, and support programs through multidisciplinary treatment teams that provide care for patients close to their homes. In 2018, Westchester Medical Center, MidHudson Regional Hospital, and Good Samaritan Hospital earned full three-year Accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).
“Patients who are about to undergo cancer therapy should have an oral evaluation prior to treatment,” explains Richard K. Whalen, DDS, of Dental Design Studio. “This enables the dental and oncology teams to determine how best to handle dental issues, which may be increased during breast cancer treatments. The dental team also needs to keep potential low immunity in mind when treating patients, sometimes prescribing antibiotics before a procedure.”
Finding and giving support
“As women, we are frequently faced with many challenges,” says Luba L. Starostiak, PT, OCS, owner of Lotus Physical Therapy for Women. “As women, we must support each other in order to face those challenges. Remembering your monthly self-breast exam and encouraging other women to do so is one of many ways we can support each other in our health.”
Financial planning is vital
According to Third Eye Associates, Ltd, “It is very important to consider the financial implications of a cancer diagnosis. In our work as Financial Planners, we find that most people do not think about their insurance coverage. We think it is essential in creating a Financial Plan that you review health insurance coverage to ascertain what out-of-pocket expenses you might expect. You may want to consider a Health Savings Account if you have a high deductible plan, or supplemental insurance such as a Cancer policy, especially if you have family history of cancer or think you are at risk. There are also residual impacts on your life that you may want to review with a financial professional to better prepare.”
Although breast cancer primarily affects women, men also can be affected by breast cancer. Women and men can help lower their risk by keeping a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcoholic drinks, and not smoking. The CDC also encourages women who are considering hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives, to consult their doctors about their individual risks and, if you have a family history of breast cancer, to discuss with your doctor additional ways to lower your risk. National Breast Cancer Month is an opportunity to make a difference.
Resources
CareMount Medical, P.C.
90 South Bedford Rd
Mount Kisco​
914.241.1050
www.caremountmedical.com
Dental Design Studio
46 Fox St, Suite 3
Poughkeepsie
845.452.7653
www.dentaldesignstudio.com
Hudson Valley Eye Surgeons
Vassar Brothers Medical Mall
200 Westage Business Center Dr, Suite110
Fishkill​
845.896.9280
www.hves.com
Lotus Physical Therapy for Women, PLLC
150 S Broadway
Nyack​
845.517.5100
www.lotusptny.com
Westchester Medical Center Breast Center
914.493.6692
WestchesterMedicalCenter.com/womens-imaging-center
MidHudson Regional Hospital Breast Center
845.596.8776
MidHudsonRegional.org/womens-imaging
Good Samaritan Hospital Center for Breast Health
866.596.8456
GoodSamHosp.org/breastcenter
HealthAlliance Hospital Breast Health Center
845.334.3088
Hahv.org/breast-health-center
Third Eye Associates, Ltd., A Registered Investment Adviser
38 Spring Lake Rd
Red Hook, NY
845.752.2216
www.thirdeyeassociates.com
Windsor Dental
375 Windsor Hwy
New Windsor
845.565.6677
www.windsordentalpc.com
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