Breast Cancer Awareness Month is recognized every year, and Saint Anthony Hospital, the top ranked patient safety hospital in Chicago*, wants to ensure the community knows what they should be doing to keep themselves safe and what to expect if they receive a positive diagnosis. Dr. Sam Guirguis, Department Chair of Radiology, and Dr. Siddiq Hasan, Chair of the Department of Surgery, have provided the following information:

Determining your Risk:

• By the age of 30, a woman should have a breast cancer risk assessment completed

• Genetic predispositions and immediate family members having been diagnosed can determine risk severity

• Once it’s been determined if you’re low, intermediate, or high risk, a doctor will establish a plan to try to help keep you safe

What You Should be Doing:

Be familiar with your breasts and conduct a monthly self-breast exam

• Look for changes in the breast, including:

1. Finding a hard spot

2. Soft lump

3. Nipple discharge

4. Inverted nipples

5. Dimple in the skin

• Women above the age of 40 should receive annual mammograms

• Women that are high-risk should be receiving annual breast MRI screenings and mammograms scheduled six months apart

What Happens After a Positive Diagnosis:

• You will be referred to a surgeon who will discuss a plan of care with an oncologist

• Determining factors of the plan include your age, size of the tumor, and how much the lymph nodes are involved

• Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation will be discussed and scheduled

• The combination of surgery, chemo, and radiation aren’t always needed, everyone will have a unique plan

• If surgery is elected to preserve the breast, then chemo will be needed

What You Should Know:

• If there is an immediate relative that has been diagnosed with cancer, you should schedule a mammogram at least 10 years of age before the family member’s age at the time of the diagnosis, but not before 30 years old

• Example: A mother was diagnosed at age 45, the daughter should have a mammogram scheduled at 35.

• There is no co-pay, deductible, or out of pocket expense for breast screening examinations with most insurances

• Chemotherapy is typically 3-6 months long

• Surgery is usually a 2-week recovery

Saint Anthony Hospital is located at 2875 W. 19th Street in Chicago and offers breast MRIs, screenings, mammograms, and surgery options for women. To schedule an appointment with Saint Anthony Hospital, please call 773-484-4030.