Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among U.S. women, who have a one in eight chance of developing the disease. Fortunately, early detection and advances in treatment have resulted in a reduction in breast cancer-related deaths. That’s why it’s important to spotlight how women can prioritize breast health.
Be Breast Self-Aware
Breast self-awareness is a vital first step. Understanding how your breasts normally look and feel can help you notice any changes that should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Changes can include:
• A new lump, swelling, or persistent pain in the breast
• Skin changes like puckering, dimpling or redness
• Nipple changes, such as discharge or inversion
Screenings Save Lives
Regular screenings are another crucial line of defense, enabling breast cancer to be detected at its earliest and most treatable stage.
Current guidelines recommend that women of average risk start receiving screening mammograms at age 40. Depending on their personal or family health history, their doctors may recommend starting earlier.
For women with dense breast tissue—nearly half of women over 40—breast ultrasounds may also be recommended. These scans provide a different view of the breast that helps distinguish between benign fluid-filled cysts and solid masses.
Compassionate, Quality Care
The Women’s Center at Broward Health Coral Springs provides expert, personalized care in a welcoming environment designed to make patients feel at ease.
“Quality care and patient comfort are at the heart of everything we do,” said Roberto Martinez, regional radiology manager at Broward Health Coral Springs.
Reflected in the center’s use of 3D mammogram machines with curved paddles designed to enhance comfort, patients are assured knowing the center’s five expert mammographers have a combined experience of more than 100 years, and that their scans are read by a dedicated breast radiologist.
Broward Health Coral Springs’ recent accreditation in breast ultrasound from the American College of Radiology further demonstrates its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of care.
Advanced Surgical Options
If patients are diagnosed with breast cancer, Broward Health Coral Springs offers an advanced surgical option for breast-conserving surgeries like lumpectomy. The SAVI SCOUT® surgical guidance system provides a more convenient option for marking tissue that needs to be removed, as compared to traditional needle localization. Radiologists place a small reflector about the size of a grain of rice to mark the tumor, days in advance of the surgery. During surgery, the reflector is activated for use with the guidance system.
“This system enables us to perform a more precise surgery with the potential to remove less tissue,” said Jose Martin, D.O., chair of surgery at Broward Health Coral Springs. “It also offers a more comfortable and convenient experience for our patients, which is always our goal.”
For more information or to schedule your mammogram, call the Broward Health Coral Springs Women’s Center at (954) 346-5362.
