health
winning
Member Services
Luis Aguilar
Health Education Lupe Gonzalez, PhD, MPH
Editor
Steven Lalich
Chief Medical Officer
Albert Reeves, MD
Copyright © 2014 Coffey Communications WHN30670
WINNING HEALTH is published as a community service for the
friends and patrons of GOLD COAST HEALTH PLAN, 711 E.
Daily Drive, Suite #106, Camarillo, CA 93010-6082, telephone
1-888-301-1228.
Information in WINNING HEALTH comes from a wide range of
medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about
specific content that may affect your health, please contact your
health care Provider.
Models may be used in photos and illustrations.
women’s health
Breast changes: Know the facts
One day you’re in the shower—and you find a lump in or near your breast.
Should you panic? Not necessarily. The fact is that most lumps are not breast
cancer. Neither are other changes you might notice, like:
Fluid that isn’t milk that is leaking from a nipple.
Red or itchy skin.
Pain in one or both breasts.
Many things can cause breast changes. Hormones, for one. Medications are
another. You may have a cyst or even an infection. So try to stay calm. But do
be sure to see your Provider. You’ll feel much better if the “Don’t worry” comes
from him or her.
Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute
T
here is no sure way to prevent breast cancer.
Even so, there are steps you can take to lower your risk. And
October, which is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is
the ideal time to take them.
One key step? Stay at a healthy body weight. is is even more
important in midlife and later. Here’s why:
After a woman’s periods stop, most of her estrogen comes from fat
cells. Estrogen can spur the growth of many breast tumors. at’s why
extra pounds later in life could raise breast cancer risk. is seems to
be especially true if those pounds end up on your waist.
ere are other steps you can take to help prevent breast cancer:
Avoid alcohol.
Drinking can raise your risk of getting breast cancer.
e more you drink, the higher your risk.
Move more.
Exercise may be able to help lower your risk. Try to get
150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise
each week.
Know the risks of hormone therapy.
ere are risks and bene ts of
taking hormone therapy. Talk to your doctor to learn more.
Finding breast cancer early.
Breast cancer can still develop even
with the above safeguards. So be
sure to talk to your doctor about
when to have mammograms.
Regular mammograms can help
nd cancer in its early stages.
Finding cancer early can help give
you a head start on treatment.
Women who have very dense
breasts may need to talk with their
doctors about additional screening
tests, such as an MRI scan.
Source: American Cancer Society
OCTOBER
A good time to
consider breast health
