Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in women. In order to educate the community about breast cancer and encourage women to receive regular mammograms, Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center is celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, including opportunities for free massages.

"Approximately three million women in the United States today are living with breast cancer. This number includes two million who have already been diagnosed, and another one million who do not yet know they have the disease," explains Janice Nemri, Director of Imaging at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. "Men are at risk as well. Each year, approximately 1,500 men were diagnosed with breast cancer. Awareness of this disease is vitally important, because when breast cancer is caught early, it's very treatable."

Sandy Peterson, Joliet, found her own lump five years ago this month because of her dedication to doing her self-breast exam each month. 

Photo: Sandy Peterson of Joliet, a former nurse who currently works as Community Outreach Manager at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, goes over instructions for an upcoming health fair with Deb Beringer, 9th floor Patient Care Manager. Peterson knows the importance of early detection for breast cancer, as she detected a lump during her monthly self-breast exam that was caught early enough to be removed entirely by surgery with no need for chemotherapy.

"I was on vacation in New Mexico, and found the lump in my breast. I could tell just by feeling it that it was very abnormal," says Peterson. "As soon as I got back, I called the doctor who examined me and ordered a mammogram to be sure. I had the mammogram on a Friday, and the doctor called saying she had very serious news on Monday -- the mammogram report had determined that it was breast cancer."

Peterson learned that she'd need to see a surgeon as soon as possible. After explaining all the options to her, the surgeon explained that she needed to make the best decision for herself. She opted for a mastectomy with reconstructive surgery, due to the fact that she thought she had a lump the year before and didn't want to chance another one.

Peterson was smart to see her physician right away, because she caught the cancer early. She says, "Because I was doing monthly self-breast exams and found my lump so early, the size of the cancerous growth was very small. It hadn't reached any lymph nodes, and therefore I didn't have to undergo chemotherapy."

Peterson knows how important breast exams can be.

"I can't stress strongly enough how important it is to be responsible for your own health," she says. "Do your monthly self-breast exams, get your mammograms as directed by your doctor, and if you think something is wrong, get to your doctor immediately. The faster you get to the doctor, the better your chance that it hasn't spread and the lesser the chance it has to get into your lymph nodes. You can help save your life by being aware of your body."

To stress the importance of early detection, Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center will be increasing their mammography hours during the month of October to accommodate more mammographies. Also, each person who comes in for a scheduled mammogram will have their name entered into a raffle for a free massage, courtesy of the Mammography and Massage departments at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. One winner will be drawn each week. During October, each person will receive a coupon for a free drink at the Medical Center's Cup of Joe's coffee bar or cafeteria.

And mammography reading will be even better, thanks to the addition of the R2 Mammography Computer Aided Detection (CAD) at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. This technology is used by radiologists to assist them in reading medical images, to enhance the detection of breast-related cancers.

"Computer-aided detection is a sophisticated pattern recognition software that we are now utilizing to provide our patients the highest level of detection for cancer and breast abnormalities," explains Mickey Jester, D.O., radiologist and Medical Director of Imaging at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. "Radiologists are using this system to assist in reading mammographies. The software works by identifying features - including abnormalities or unusual occurrences - on a patient's medical images. The software then brings these features to the attention of the radiologist."

The system was developed to decrease false negative readings. With the advancement of technology comes advanced opportunities to eliminate errors in diagnosing patients. As with any software, however, it does not replace the imaging technology or the interpretations of trained radiologists. Instead, it is a skilled tool that is used in combination with experience and expertise in the field of mammography to review patient images.

"Breast cancer ranks second after lung cancer for the most deaths in women. About 40,000 people - men and women - died last year alone," says Nemri. "We want men and women alike to understand the importance of catching breast cancer early. Many deaths could have been prevented with proper treatment had the cancer been detected in time. It's very important for women over 40 to have a regularly scheduled mammogram, and for men to be aware that they are at risk as well."

Risk factors for breast cancer include age, family history and personal history. Approximately 75 percent of all breast cancers are found in women over the age of 50, while the disease is uncommon in women under the age of 30. The risk of breast cancer is increased for a woman whose mother, sister, or daughter had the disease. Those who have been treated for breast cancer also maintain a higher risk of developing cancer in the other breast later in life.

Nemri adds, "According to the National Cancer Institute, if current rates stay the same, a woman's chance of developing breast cancer is as follows: from birth to age 39, one out of 228 women; from ages 40 to 59, one out of 24 women; from ages 60 to 79, one out of 14 women; and during her lifetime, one out of 8 women will develop breast cancer."

A doctor's referral is needed for a mammogram. For scheduling or appointments, please contact Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center's Central Scheduling department at (815) 741-7555.