KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Nurse Lisa Schering at Borgess Medical Center said too many women skip screenings and are risking their lives.
She said there are three main risk factors.
“The number one risk factor is having breasts, so all women with breasts are at risk. The number two risk factor is age, and then we look at genetics,” Schering said.
She said it’s recommended that every woman 40 and older get a mammogram annually so they can catch it early.
“Women need to know that breast cancer screening saves lives, so we have opened up some extra evening hours to make it easier to get those mammograms,” Schering said.
She said breast cancer caught early is very treatable.
“A breast cancer found in the breast before it moves into the lymph nodes is key,” Schering said. “If it’s still in the breast it can be treated with a simple lumpectomy.”
She said if the cancer has a chance to spread to the lymphatic system then it can move to other parts of your body and it’s much more difficult to treat.
She says women in their 40s and 50s are busy doing their jobs, caring for their families and friends and she says it’s important that they also take care of themselves. Getting screened is one important way to do that.
