Breast Cancer Awareness Month Brings Reminders, Screening Opportunities

By John Voket

Between 2008 and 2010 — the latest year statistics are available through the Connecticut Department of Health’s Tumor Registry ­— 108 women in Newtown were diagnosed with breast cancer. And sadly, in recent weeks, the community has seen several deaths among current and former residents who were suffering with the disease.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Newtown Health District is stepping up its attempts to help local women by hosting digital mammography screenings provided by St Vincent’s Women’s Mobile Imaging Center. The imaging center van will be stationed at Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, on October 27 from 10 am to 2 pm, and there are still about a dozen openings for women who want to be screened for breast cancer.

The digital mobile mammography coach is equipped with a waiting area and two changing rooms, an attractive interior that provides privacy with the state-of-the-art digital technology. St Vincent’s mobile mammography program is only the second in the state to offer full-field digital technology, enhancing detection, especially in dense breast tissue, and allowing for an almost immediate review by a radiology technician. 

It is the only program in the state that offers expanded paddles, which require less angles of images, meaning women will experience less radiation exposure, enhanced comfort, and quicker exams.

At the heart of the coach is the Senographe Essential Mammography System, which offers swift and optimal image capturing and faster time between exposures. There is no film processing required, allowing almost immediate review by the technologist. The system features a highly reliable detector and the ability to optimally scan any type of breasts at low dose.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to find breast cancer early is with a mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast used by doctors to look for early signs of breast cancer. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. Current recommendations are for women age 50 to 74 years to have a screening mammogram every two years; women age 40–49 years should talk to their doctor about when and how often they should have a screening mammogram.

The CDC states that regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. When their breast cancer is found early, many women go on to live long and healthy lives.

When breast cancer starts out, it is too small to feel and does not cause signs and symptoms. As it grows, however, breast cancer can cause changes in how the breast looks or feels. Symptoms may include:

*New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).

*Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.

*Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.

*Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.

*Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

*Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.

*Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.

*Pain in any area of the breast.

Men can also get breast cancer, but it is not very common. For every 100 cases of breast cancer, less than one is in men.

Appointments for the mobile mammography program are necessary; and any woman interested in taking advantage of the local opportunity to be screened on October 27 is asked to call 203-576-5505 for appointment

A referral from a physician is suggested for this exam. If individuals do not have, or cannot obtain a referral, call 203- 576-5505

Those with an insurance card are asked to bring it to the screening

Free mammograms for those with no insurance, financial limitations and who qualify.

Support for the mobile mammography program is provided by the SWIM Across the Sound, and other organizations including Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut Affiliate, The Breast Cancer Alliance, The National Breast Cancer Foundation, and Near and Far Aid.