Q&A with Cook County Health Breast Cancer Physicians
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cook County Health spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Marcus, Chair of Breast Oncology, and Dr. Pamela Ganschow, Co-Chair, Breast Cancer Screening, Prevention and Treatment, about what people need to know about breast cancer.
What are some signs and symptoms women should pay attention to?
Dr. Ganschow: New breast symptoms should be promptly evaluated, even if a woman recently had a normal screening mammogram. Symptoms include nipple discharge, breast lumps, and breast infections. Breast pain is also common but is only rarely due to breast cancer. It is often caused by problems outside of the breast including from the muscles or bones in the chest wall and the shoulder. Consider getting checked out if your breast pain occurs only in one area of the breast (not all over or in both breasts) and is not related to your menstrual cycle or continues to occur after your cycle has ended. While many breast symptoms will not be related to breast cancer, they should be checked out, usually with an exam, imaging and sometimes a biopsy.
Also, know your family history - if blood relatives in your family are getting cancers such as breast, prostate, pancreatic, colon, uterine or ovarian cancers, especially if they are diagnosed before the age of 50, consider talking to your doctor and/or finding a genetic counselor to see if you and your family members should undergo genetic testing. Testing can reveal hereditary cancer syndromes and provide screening and prevention recommendations based on your family history.
What are the treatment options for breast cancer?
Dr. Marcus: Every person's breast cancer is unique and there are things about it that may determine treatment options. Your treatment team will come up with a comprehensive treatment plan that may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and/or pills. Depending on the characteristics of your particular breast cancer you may need some or all of the treatment types.
Who should be getting screening mammograms and why?
Dr. Ganschow: There is good evidence to suggest that screening mammograms done every two years can especially help women ages 50-75 by detecting breast cancer at an earlier and more treatable stage. There may be some benefit to starting screening earlier (40s) and/or more frequently (every year instead of every other year), especially for women with risk factors for breast cancer. However, there are also risks from mammograms that need to be considered, such as overtreatment of early cancers, more radiation exposure and higher recall rates with resulting anxiety. Women should talk with their doctor before making a decision to screen earlier or more frequently.
When it comes to breast cancer in men, what should men be looking for?
Dr. Marcus: Men should always get a lump in the breast or any discharge from their breast evaluated. It may not be cancer but all should be evaluated.
Why should someone come to Cook County Health for their breast cancer treatment?
Dr. Marcus: At Cook County Health we have a multidisciplinary team that develops a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure you are getting the highest quality of care based on the best science available. We take the time to make sure that you understand what your choices are for the care of your breast cancer. We understand that you may have other challenges in your life besides just a cancer diagnosis and we provide support services such as transportation, financial counseling, social work, etc. to make sure that you don't face obstacles to getting the best care in a timely fashion.
If you have concerns about your breast health or want a second opinion, contact Cook County Health at 312-864-0200.