Daytona Beach Cancer Institute Urges Women to Be Aware of Breast Cancer Symptoms and Treatment Options

Daytona Beach, FL (PRWEB) August 27, 2010

The Cancer Institute at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center (FHMMC) (http://www.yournewcancerinstitute.org) urges local women to be aware of the breast cancer symptoms and treatment options.

“Changes in your breast can sometimes be indicators of breast cancer,” said Michael Kelley, MD, PhD, a board-certified medical oncologist at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center. “It is good to be on the lookout for these changes.”

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., early breast cancer does not cause pain. Even so, a woman should see her health care provider about breast pain or any other breast cancer symptoms that do not go away.

Common signs & symptoms of breast cancer include:
    Ï A change in how the breast or nipple feels
    Ï You may experience nipple tenderness or notice a lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area.
    Ï A change in how the breast or nipple looks
    Ï This could mean a change in the size or shape of the breast or a nipple that is turned slightly inward. In addition, the skin of the breast, areola or nipple may appear scaly, red or swollen or may have ridges or pitting that resembles the skin of an orange.
    Ï Nipple discharge

An Early Breast Cancer Detection Plan should include:
    Ï Beginning at age 20: Performing breast self-exams and looking for any signs of change.
    Ï Age 20 to 39: Scheduling clinical breast exams every three years.
    Ï By the age of 40: Having a baseline mammogram and annual clinical breast exams.
    Ï Ages 40 to 49: Having a mammogram every one to two years depending on previous findings.
    Ï Ages 50 and older: Having a mammogram every year.
    Ï All Ages: Recording personal exams, mammograms and doctors' appointments on a calendar or in a detailed file.
    Ï Maintaining a healthy weight, following a low-fat diet, getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption.

“If you think you may be experiencing breast cancer symptoms please call your doctor as soon as possible,” Dr. Kelley said. “The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better chance there is of successfully treating it.”

The Cancer Institute at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center offers a wide range of options for treating breast cancer. If you would like to learn more about breast cancer detection and treatment services at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, please visit us on the Web at http://www.yournewcancerinstitute.org or call (386) 676-6025.

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