As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Salome Teron, head of the mammography department at SCP Radiology, calls on every woman to pay attention to her breast health.
As a radiologist specializing in breast imaging, she regularly analyzes mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs. She encounters women who are actively taking care of their health, are concerned about symptoms and have been referred for further examination, or who have received vital news.
Early Detection
Breast cancer remains one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. The good news is that when detected in time, treatment is often less invasive, and outcomes are significantly better. Early diagnosis can save lives.
Symptoms
The difficulty lies in the fact that breast cancer does not always present as a lump. It is necessary to pay attention to subtle changes in the shape or size of the breasts, skin dimpling, nipple changes, persistent pain, unusual discharge, or any areas that feel different. Therefore, Dr. Teron strongly recommends that women know their bodies and understand what is normal for them to notice any deviations.
The Importance of Screening
Screening is equally important. Mammograms can detect cancer long before it becomes palpable, sometimes years before symptoms appear, but this is not the only screening method. Age, family history, genetics, breast tissue density, and individual risk influence the choice of the optimal imaging method. For some women, ultrasound or MRI may provide important additional information.
Most importantly, do not let fear prevent you from getting checked. Knowledge gives power. When breast cancer is detected early, treatment is usually less aggressive, and outcomes are more favorable. Even if a biopsy is recommended, it does not automatically mean you have breast cancer; it could be a benign growth requiring confirmation.
Young Women Get Breast Cancer
It should also be remembered that breast cancer is not just a disease of older women. Young women (and to a lesser extent men) can also be affected, especially if they have a hereditary history or genetic risk. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a healthcare professional.
Schedule an Appointment
Do not postpone health checks. If you are 40 or older, or if you notice any changes in your breasts, regardless of age, you need to schedule a mammogram. It is also important to ask questions and monitor symptoms. She urges encouraging a mother, sister, daughter, or friend to do the same.
Radiologists meet women daily in critical moments, observing relief, courage, resilience, and hope. They also see the difference that early detection can make. In this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, her call is simple: make breast health a priority not only in October but year-round. Your future self will thank you.