3 Things to Know About Breast Cancer

For almost forty years, October has been recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This special annual campaign, commonly identified with a pink ribbon symbol, is dedicated to educating Americans about the importance of early detection and high-quality care. Here are three things to know about breast cancer.

1. Early detection is one key to survival. “If detected early, breast cancer is easier to treat, which can lead to a more positive outcome,” explained Sarah Coy, Director of Nursing at Newton Village and an eight-year breast cancer survivor. “I ignored a lump in my breast for about three months, thinking it couldn’t be breast cancer. I had zero family history, was only 41 years old, and am a nurse, a soccer mom, and a non-smoker at a healthy weight. Yet I had breast cancer, the first in my family. Although I put off getting it checked, I was lucky; while it had spread to my lymph nodes, with surgery and chemotherapy I was able to beat it.”

2. You have to advocate for yourself. “It’s crucial to get a yearly mammogram,” added Coy. “Anyone can get breast cancer, and studies are beginning to show that it can be potentially caused or aggravated by stress, food preservatives, and other environmental factors. If someone tells me they have a rash on one breast, or they feel a tiny lump, or their lymph nodes feel swollen, I recommend they have it checked. I never say to keep an eye on it and watch for changes. It’s not worth the risk.” If you have any symptoms that are abnormal for you, get checked right away.

3. Men can get breast cancer, too. About one in 100 breast cancer patients are men. If you have a hard, painless lump in the breast, nipple discharge, or a sore or rash around the nipple that doesn’t heal, get it checked immediately.

For more information, please contact:

Newton Village

110 N. 5th Avenue W

Newton, Iowa 50208

Ph: 641-792-0115

www.newtonvillage.org