Breast Health

Who needs breast health checkups?

All women need breast health checkups as part of their well-woman exams. Physicians and Surgeons for Women includes clinical breast exams in yearly well-woman visits. This puts women of all ages on a preventive care track. With early diagnosis, patients with breast cancer have a 99% survival rate.

Breast exams are important at every age. Nearly 75% of breast cancers occur in women aged 50 and up. Younger women can also develop breast cancer. Being proactive about checkups is the best way to reduce your risk.

Some breast cancers are inherited. If you have a first-degree family member (i.e. a mother or sister) who has had breast cancer, you may need to have breast health checkups more often as a precaution. You may also qualify for genetic testing or referral to a genetic counselor. Your provider can advise you about what options are available and what might be best for you.

At Physicians and Surgeons for Women, we recommend performing breast self-exams along with clinical breast exams and mammograms. With this combination, you have the highest possible protection against breast cancer possible. 

What age should I start mammograms to maintain my breast health?

We recommend having your first mammogram when you turn 40. Or, if you have a family history of breast cancer, at age 35. We work with the Ohio Valley Breast Center in Springfield, Ohio for the best in state-of-the-art breast imaging. 

You may need a 3D mammogram with the Philips EPIQ, a whole-breast ultrasound, or a breast biopsy based on your breast density, related issues, and health history.

What should I look for when performing a breast health self-exam?

When you perform regular breast checks at home, you can find problems early. It is important to look for changes of any type as you perform your breast self-exam, including:

• Breast lumps
• New nipple discharge
• New breast skin dimpling
• Newly inverted nipples
• Scaly areola skin
• Breast pain
• Underarm pain

Not every change is a sign of breast cancer. However, all of these symptoms warrant a checkup at Physicians and Surgeons for Women. Early detection is key to the successful treatment of breast cancer as well as other breast issues.

How will having a baby affect my breast health?

Pregnancy causes considerable changes to your body, especially to your breasts. As your breasts prepare for milk production, you may feel some soreness. You may also notice other changes, such as nipple darkening, itchy breasts, and stretch marks.

If you are currently breastfeeding, it is common to experience pain in your breasts, especially during the first few weeks. In some cases, breast pain can be a sign of a larger issue called mastitis. Mastitis is an infection in the milk ducts of a woman who is breastfeeding.  

If you experience redness or discharge, your breast is hot to touch, you feel a hard area or lump, or if you have fever and fatigue along with extreme breast pain, you need to be seen by a provider. You could become very sick if mastitis is left untreated.

At Physicians and Surgeons for Women, we strive to guide you to optimal breast health, now and for a lifetime. To arrange a breast health exam or learn more about our offerings, call the office today for an appointment.