By Kay M Roth
Breast cancer. Two of the most frightening words a woman can hear. Emotions rage- fear, anger, pity, despair, confusion. Decisions must be made, often quickly. Treatment options must be decided on. Many women are overwhelmed. Their families attempt to support them yet they often feel alone with their disease. It doesn’t have to be that way.
There are many resources in the mid valley regarding early detection. That in itself can be overwhelming. Who does a woman turn to? Who knows best? Who can help? That’s where Project H.E.R. can come in.
Project H.E.R. (Help, Enlightenment, Resources), a program available through the Corvallis Clinic, brings breast health services to women in Benton, Linn and Lincoln Counties. Joann Stutzman, the nurse navigator, and Sarah Blanton, the Project H.E.R. coordinator are both available to help women learn proper breast health techniques. If breast cancer has already been diagnosed, the pair can help women as they proceed through treatment and beyond.
Stutzman believes that self exams are very effective tools in early detection of breast cancer. She also encourages women over the age of 40 to have an annual clinical breast examination and a mammogram. "To care for our health is empowering," she said of how important it is for women to be their own best advocates for good health.
Another local program designed to help with early detection is MammaCare. Developed by a group of scientists, MammaCare was design with the hope of saving as many as 180,000 American women through self examination. Locally, Susan Merrill and Joann Stutzman of The Corvallis Clinic are both certified to teach the MammaCare course. To schedule a class, please call 541-738-2065, extension 2.
Let’s take a step backward. Early detection of breast cancer can help women begin their battle before the cancer has spread. This requires screening, such as mammograms. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is left undetected until symptoms occur, it’s more likely that the cancer has spread beyond the breast. Breast cancer discovered through screening exams are usually smaller and often still confined. The size of the cancer and how far it has spread are two of the most important elements in a woman’s prognosis after being diagnosed. Many doctors agree that early detection saves thousands of lives each year.
According to the Oregon State Cancer Registry, in 2006, 518 Oregon women died due to breast cancer. Of the over 2000 women diagnosed that year, 72% were diagnosed during the in situ or local stage. Oregon and Washington rank in the top five states for female breast cancer. Things are looking up however. Between 2002-2006, breast cancer among Oregon women dropped on average 3% per year. Statistics show that women in Linn County have a lower rate of breast cancer.
Detecting breast cancer in its early stages means more treatment options are available if cancer is discovered. Taking those steps for early detection is much easier than some people think. There are three steps suggested by organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Project H.E.R. for good breast health care.
Mammograms can be the most important part of early breast cancer detection. Simply put, it is an x-ray of the breast that is quick, easy and safe. According to information supplied by the American Cancer Society, a mammogram uses less radiation than a dentist’s x-ray. Mammograms can detect cancer as small as a pea well in advance of a self-exam or even a clinical exam might. There is however some controversy over when women should start getting mammograms.
The Susan G. Komen foundation, a group designed to be advocates for women’s health, states that they believe women at the age of 40 should begin having yearly mammograms. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests waiting until age 50 due to false positives being reported in women between 40 and 49 years of age. When in doubt, the best advice is to discuss your breast health and the need for a mammogram with your personal physician.
Breast exams can either be self-exams or clinical exams. Project H.E.R. supplies women with handouts describing how to perform a self-exam. “The best time to do a breast self-exam is when your breasts are not tender, or swollen.” Following the steps noted in the handout, the group suggests following up with a doctor when any changes from previous exams have occurred.
Discussions with your doctor are the third part of taking care of your breasts. The American Cancer Society encourages women to talk with their physician to learn how to do proper self-exams, when mammograms are appropriate and to have a clinical exam.
Project H.E.R. offers a wide variety of information on good breast health to women in our area. According to a press release prepared by Judy Corwin, “in 2008, 24 different community organizations hosted MammaCare classes for a total of 356 women who attended and benefited from this prevention service.” Community outreach events such as pink outs at OSU, Walk for a Cause and Creative Crafts Bras for a Cause further inform the community and offer information on breast health to women in the area.
Breast cancer can affect women of all ages, although those over 50 are at higher risk. Next to non-melanoma skin cancer, the Center for Disease Control, notes that breast cancer is the most common type to affect women. The National Program of Cancer Registries reports that in Oregon, 129 out of 100,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. While that rate might not seem particularly high, the national average is only 119 out of 100,000 women.
Where to find information in our area:
Project H.E.R.- The Corvallis Clinic
Joann Stutzman, RN, BSN, OCN, Nurse Navigator
Sarah Blanton, LCSW, OSW-C, Project H.E.R. Coordinator
541-738-2065
Women's Cancer Coalition
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