Cancer Research Headlines

10 Tips for Getting a Mammogram

1. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
2. Use a facility that specializes in mammograms or that performs many (at least three to five) each day. Ask to see the FDA certificate showing that the facility meets high professional standards.
3. If you are satisfied with the facility, continue to go there each year so that your mammograms can be compared from year to year. If not, take copies of your old mammograms to a new facility so that they will have them for comparison.
4. Mammograms costs, or a percentage of them, are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health plans. Call the American Cancer Society to find out about the availability of low-cost mammograms in your area.
5. All mammogram facilities are required to send your results to you within 30 days and to contact you within five business days if there is a suspected problem. Call your doctor or the facility if you do not receive your results.
6. Only two or four mammograms out of every 1,000 will lead to a cancer diagnosis. Ten percent of women may require an additional mammogram, but only eight to 10 percent of them will need a biopsy. Eighty percent of those biopsies will not be cancer.
7. The procedure will require you to undress to the waist, but the facility will provide a wrap for you to wear.
8. Deodorant, powder, or cream under your arms may interfere with the quality of the mammogram.
9. Only you and the technologist who positions your breasts will be present for the mammogram, and most technologists are women.
10. The entire procedure should take about 20 minutes and should include two views of each breast. The breast compression may cause some discomfort, which you can lessen by not scheduling a mammogram immediately before or during your period. Tell the technologist if you experience pain during the procedure.

REMEMBER: If you have a lump in your breast, you will need more tests even if your mammogram is normal.

For more information or to learn about the latest guidelines for finding breast cancer early, contact the Swim Across the Sound Woman’s Imaging Center, 576-5501.

Regular Testing Can Monitor Prostate Health
Prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent survivable if detected early. The trick is to get an annual digital rectal exam and a PSA blood level test to insure good prostate health. If there is a problem, early detection can save your life.

Advice and Expectations After Chemotherapy
Your doctor is a great source of information on what to expect after chemotherapy. Ask for advice. And if you still are anemic, ask you doctor about available treatments.

Here are ten questions to ask your doctor if you have any uncertainties:

1. Will my side effects continue after chemotherapy? Which ones? For how long?
2. Is there anything that I can take to help with the side affects?
3. Should I continue with treatments prescribed for side affects?
4. Does the end of chemotherapy mean that I am cured?
5. If I took other medications while on chemotherapy, will I continue to take them now?
6. Should I follow the same eating/nutritional guidelines that I followed while I was on chemotherapy?
7. Are there any vitamin supplements that I should take? Any that I should avoid?
8. What do I need to know about anemia and my red blood cell count?
9. What do I need to know about infection and my white blood cell count?
10. What do I need to know about pain medication?

Preventing Cancer
While the Swim Across the Sound helps cancer patients and their families, we also believe you can take steps to reduce risks of cancer by committing yourself to several preventive strategies.

To protect against skin cancer, often caused by excessive exposure to the sun, always use a 30 Plus Sunblock.

Get breast and prostate screenings which can save lives. Nearly all doctors agree that mammograms work in detecting cancer at early stages when it can be effectively treated. Men over the age of 40 should also have annual prostate screenings - both digital and blood test.

Quit smoking. Smoking can lead to several forms of cancer and can contribute to other health problems.

Watch your diet. A diet low in fat and high in fiber can reduce your risk of colon cancer and lead to better overall health.

The Swim wants everyone to stay healthy.

For more information about Swim-sponsored cancer prevention and screening programs call St. Vincent's Wellness Services at 203-576-5500.