In the month dedicated to breast cancer screening, we are going to give you first the good news — breast cancer is curable!
All it takes is one routine examination a year, and for women with breast cancer family history — twice a year.
Breast cancer is considered a socially significant disease since more than 1000 women die from it each year. These are not only personal losses of family members, but professional ones too. Can we really afford to lose 1000 good specialists, 1000 loyal employees?
What happens at the examination
The mammalogist will first take your medical history. The doctor will ask you if you have given birth and breastfed, for how long, and if you have history of breast cancer in family members.
Afterwards the doctor will perform a procedure called “palpation” — a method of feeling the milk glands with fingers in order to establish whether there are any densifications, lumps, or other formations. Then you will be examined with ultrasound.
If necessary, the mammalogist will refer you for a mammogram, which is an x-ray image showing the full status of the milk glands.
Does the breast cancer screening hurt?
No, the examination does not hurt. However, some women report that being given a mammogram is a little unpleasant for a short period of time.
How much does it cost?
If your employer has decided to include it in the routine examinations package, the breast cancer screening will be at the expense of your employer.
You can ask your GP for a referral and than you will have to pay just a user fee.
How to reduce the risk of breast cancer?
As a whole, breast cancer is caused by a mutation of various genes that happens after we are born. In case of breast cancer family history, it may be considered that you have the same gene modification, but that is not necessarily the case.
To reduce the risk of breast cancer:
Maintain healthy weight
Don't smoke
Don’t drink too much alcohol
Have a walk each day
Rest often and don't overstress yourself
As for routine examinations, you can count on the HEALTH&SAFETY Occupational Health Service. Learn more about our servicesat www.safeworking.eu.