Nikki Sommer, a nurse practitioner with Key West Surgical Group Incorporated and Med Spa, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning for Medical Matters.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s important for everyone to understand the disease.
“It’s all about education, knowing your risk, recognizing any changes in your body, and understanding that early detection can save lives,” Sommer said.
Awareness campaigns are valuable reminders, but people should not wait until October to think about preventive healthcare.
“We have these awareness months, you know, to remind us that we need to get screened for certain precancerous conditions,” Sommer said. “However, this is something we should be thinking about every month, just not for the month of October.”
Breast cancer is not exclusively a women’s disease. Men have breast tissue that can become cancerous, even though the disease is much less common among men.
Age is one of the primary risk factors for breast cancer, although younger people can develop the disease as well. Family history also can increase risk, particularly when a close relative has been diagnosed.
However, Sommer cautioned against assuming someone is safe simply because breast cancer does not run in their family.
“Most women who develop breast cancer do not have a strong family history of disease,” she said.
Sommer said she frequently encounters people who believe they do not need regular screenings because no one in their family has had the disease.
“I hear this all the time, and it’s not just with breast cancer; it’s with colon cancer,” she said. “They’ll tell you, ‘I don’t have a family history. I’m okay. I don’t need to go get screening regularly.’ That’s not the case.”
She explained that having a family history increases a person’s risk, but the absence of that history does not eliminate the possibility of developing cancer.
Other risk factors include previous radiation treatment to the chest, certain reproductive and hormonal factors, alcohol consumption and excess body weight, particularly after menopause.
Sommer said lifestyle changes can help reduce risk.
“Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, and discussing hormone therapy risk with your healthcare provider are all reasonable steps,” she said.
Screening and recognizing symptoms remain important even for people who make healthy lifestyle choices.
Early breast cancer does not always produce noticeable symptoms, making routine screening especially important.
Sommer recommended monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 21 and said any new or unusual changes should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Warning signs include a new lump in the breast or under the arm, changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling or puckering, persistent redness or thickening, a nipple that suddenly turns inward and unexplained nipple discharge, particularly if it is bloody.
Sommer stressed that people should not dismiss a lump simply because it does not hurt.
“Cancer is usually painless,” she said, referring to breast cancer lumps.
At the same time, she cautioned against assuming every lump indicates cancer. Cysts, fibrocystic changes and other benign conditions also can cause lumps.
“Don’t panic. Many breast lumps are benign, meaning they’re not cancer,” Sommer said.
A healthcare provider can determine whether a lump or other change requires additional testing.
Sommer also warned about inflammatory breast cancer, a less common but aggressive form of the disease. Symptoms can include rapid swelling, redness, warmth and skin that resembles the texture of an orange peel, sometimes without a distinct lump.
These symptoms require prompt medical attention.
Sommer said screening recommendations vary by organization and individual risk.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women at average risk receive mammograms every two years from ages 40 through 74. The American Cancer Society offers different options, including annual screening beginning at age 40 for women who choose to start early, annual mammograms for women ages 45 through 54, and annual or biennial screening for women 55 and older.
People with a strong family history or other elevated risk factors may need to begin screening earlier. Sommer said patients should discuss their individual circumstances with their healthcare providers.
Although mammograms can be uncomfortable, she encouraged people not to let that discourage them from getting screened.
“It’s just a pinch for a short amount of time,” Sommer said.
If an abnormality is found, additional imaging may include further mammogram views, an ultrasound or an MRI. A suspicious area may require a biopsy, in which a small tissue sample is examined to determine whether cancer is present.
Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone-blocking medications, targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Sommer noted that the five-year relative survival rate for women diagnosed with localized invasive breast cancer is greater than 99%, according to the American Cancer Society.
“It’s not a guarantee for every patient, but it demonstrates that detecting it early is very valuable,” she said.
Not many men realize they could be at risk, too.
“Most people associate breast cancer with women, but men have breast tissue too, and the tissue can become cancerous,” Sommer said.
Breast cancer accounts for fewer than 1% of all breast cancer cases in the United States among men.
Because the disease is relatively rare in men, symptoms may be overlooked or dismissed.
A painless lump or thickening near the nipple, nipple discharge, a nipple that suddenly turns inward, skin changes or a lump under the arm should be evaluated.
“Any men out there that are listening, a painless lump doesn’t automatically mean it’s a harmless lump,” Sommer said.
She acknowledged that some men may feel embarrassed about reporting a breast lump or may not believe breast cancer is possible because they do not produce milk.
“But it’s important that you get it looked at because yes, you can get breast cancer,” she said.
Most male breast cancers are diagnosed in older adults, commonly in their 60s and 70s. Family history and inherited genetic mutations, including BRCA2, can increase risk. Sommer noted that these genetic mutations can be inherited from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family.
Routine mammograms generally are not recommended for most men because male breast cancer is uncommon. However, men with elevated risk factors or suspicious symptoms should consult their healthcare providers about appropriate evaluation.
Treatment options for men are similar to those available to women. Sommer said hormone-blocking medications, including tamoxifen, can play an important role because many male breast cancers have hormone receptors.
Sommer also addressed several common misconceptions, including the belief that people without a family history are not at risk, that painless lumps are harmless and that only older women develop the disease.
She said there is no convincing evidence that wearing a bra or using antiperspirant causes breast cancer. She also stressed that feeling healthy does not eliminate the need for recommended screenings.
Her advice is to pay attention to changes in the body, understand individual risk factors and avoid delaying recommended medical appointments.
“Know your body. If you notice a new lump, nipple change, nipple discharge, or persistent change in your breasts, don’t ignore it,” Sommer said.
She encouraged anyone with a family history or possible genetic risk factors on either side of the family to discuss screening with a healthcare provider.
“Don’t put off your mammogram,” she said. “Life gets busy. Work, families, parents. We talk about putting off healthcare all the time.”
Sommer said screening does not prevent breast cancer from developing, but early detection can significantly improve the chances of a favorable outcome.
“Turn awareness into action,” she urged listeners, reinforcing the importance of scheduling overdue mammograms and encouraging loved ones to get screened.
Although October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sommer said preventive screenings and conversations about cancer risk should happen year-round.
Key West Surgical Group Incorporated and Med Spa is located at 3134 Northside Drive in Key West. More information is available at KeyWestSurgicalGroup.com or by calling 305-294-1041.