Breast Health
 Jeanne Kirk, RN, BSN, is the certified breast health specialist for Community Hospital Anderson. She coordinates the clinical, educational and support needs of patients and families touched by breast cancer.
Kirk meets with every patient having a biopsy, lumpectomy or mastectomy, to answer questions and provide support. Each patient undergoing a lumpectomy or mastectomy is provided with written educational materials to help answer future questions.
Genetic Counseling for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation is available, along with free monthly clinical breast examinations.
Caring for your breasts
Breasts come in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures. The key to breast health is recognizing changes in how your breasts look and feel. By regularly examining your breasts, you'll be able to notice changes or irregularities which need to be reported to your health care provider. The following three simple steps can help you find any problems early, when they're most successfully treated:
Breast Self-Exams (BSE): Checking your breasts is called a breast self-exam. You should examine your breasts every month, 7-10 days after your menstrual period begins. After menopause or a hysterectomy, examine your breasts on the first day of the month. Women aged 20 or older should perform a BSE every month. By doing the exam regularly, you get to know how your breasts normally feel, and you can more readily detect any signs or symptoms.
Clinical Breast Exams: This is a breast exam by a health care provider to make sure you haven't missed anything during your breast self-exams. This is a good opportunity to ask any questions and to request a demonstration of a breast self-exam if needed. Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a clinical breast examination by a health professional every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year. Community Anderson's Breast Health Services offers free clinical breast exams each month. Please click here to see a current schedule.
Mammograms: A mammogram is the most effective way to detect breast lumps too small to be felt or seen. It usually consists of two or more low-dose X-rays. Mammography is not painful, although it may feel slightly uncomfortable because the breast is compressed for a few moments. Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year.
Discounted mammogram certificates are available for $55 throughout the months of May and October. These certificates make great gifts and can be purchased from the cashier in the main lobby of the hospital. Please call 765-298-5386 to learn more about the criteria for purchasing a discounted mammogram.
|
