Every October, people around the country don pink ribbons in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women according to the American Cancer Society.
Multiple agencies, including the American Cancer Society, Academy of Family Practice and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say that finding breast cancer early when it’s small, has not spread and might be easier to treat can help prevent death. The best way to detect breast cancer early is through screening mammograms. Yet many women skip or delay their annual mammograms when life gets too hectic.
Dr. Jenna Grindle, MD at the Family Medicine West Clinic in Levelland concurs that early detection is the key, starting with a familial history because it helps identify individuals at a higher risk for certain cancers, which can lead to earlier and more personalized screening and prevention strategies. Gathering details like the type of cancer, age at diagnosis, and relatives affected can reveal hereditary patterns, allowing doctors to recommend appropriate genetic counseling, testing, and intensified screening protocols, said Dr. Grindle.
“Screening should start between the ages of 40 and 50 (come see your primary doctor for risk assessment) OR 10 years BEFORE the earliest diagnosis of breast cancer in your family,” said Dr. Grindle.
Dr. Grindle referred to the AAFP Assessment of Breast Cancer Risks, noting that in reproductive age women, women who have their first full term pregnancy before the age of 20 decrease the breast cancer risk by 9 percent compared to women who have their first full term pregnancy before the age of 35, and five full term pregnancies decrease the rates of breast cancer by 23 percent, and every 12 months of breastfeeding decrease breast cancer rates by 4.3 percent.
“In postmenopausal women, there is an 11 percent risk reduction with daily exercise,” noted Dr. Grindle.
After family medical history is taken, the next step is getting a mammogram. Covenant offers 2D digital and 3D mammograms at its breast imaging centers to aid in the early detection of breast cancer to start the process.
“Once the patient has a mammogram done, the results come back quickly, “ said Dr. Grindle. “If the results are positive, the next step is to do an ultrasound or biopsy.”
According to Dr. Grindle, there are different protocols for the treatment of breast cancer, which are categorized into three types from least aggressive, moderately aggressive and the most aggressive, which makes early detection critical.
The least aggressive form is highly treatable with excellent prognosis and may involve surgery and sometimes radiation.
The moderately aggressive form, which accounts for about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases, may utilize a more extensive treatment which could include surgery, chemo, radiation and targeted treatments depending on the tumor’s characteristics.
The most aggressive type of cancer accounts for 19 percent to 15 percent of all breast cancers. Treatment is more challenging and aggressive, primarily relying on chemotherapy, immunotherapy and sometimes surgery.
Meanwhile all around the country in October, women are reminded to that cancer is a threat and there is support. All around Hockley County, various county, city agencies, schools and groups sport pink and hold “pink outs” in support of survivors and victims.
Levelland city staff and elected officials honored Mayor Breann Buxkemper through a video posted on social media. Buxkemper embarked on her cancer journey after a routine exam showed changes from last year.
The Levelland Police Department and Sheriff ’s Office have also committed to wearing pink in honor of the October tradition.
At Sundown ISD, “Pink Out” has always been a big event with bake sales and auction items to raise money for a cancer victim/recipient. The event on Oct. 17 will honor Raquel Camacho.
Levelland ISD had a Pink Out Pep Rally scheduled for Oct. 10, and the Ropes Eagle Association announced Pink Out Game Day shirts for a date not yet set in October.