SRRMC Offers tips to support breast health in october
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center is encouraging women to become proactive about their breast health.
“The earlier breast cancer is found, the greater chance a patient has at beating it,” said Brian A. Mullally, MD, board certified in family medicine. “There are two and a half million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Women can’t choose their diagnosis, but they can take precautions to find breast cancer and begin treatment as early as possible.”
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that more than 192,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer, the most common cancer among women in the United States, will be discovered this year. Fortunately, the number of breast cancer deaths continues to decrease each year as more women learn about the importance of early detection techniques.
Seven Rivers Regional recommends that women in their 20s and 30s do monthly breast self-exams and undergo a clinical breast exam at least every three years. Women should have a clinical breast exam and a mammogram every year after age 40, according to Dr. Mullally.
Women also can lower their risk of breast cancer by making certain lifestyle changes recommended by the ACS and Seven Rivers Regional. Dr. Mullally said women should do the following:
• Limit alcohol use.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Consider breast-feeding for at least several months.
• Don’t use post-menopausal hormone therapy unless you need it.
To schedule a breast exam or mammogram appointment, call Seven Rivers Regional at 352.795.8394. For more information about Seven Rivers Regional’s breast care services, visit www.srrmc.com.
About Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center
Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center is a 128-bed general, medical/surgical acute care facility that opened its doors in 1978 and serves the communities of Citrus, Levy and South Marion Counties. Seven Rivers Regional is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from Joint Commission as a Certified Primary Stroke Center and is a Florida State designated Primary Stroke Center. The medical center is a participant with all three American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) programs and is recognized by AHA/ASA for its success in using GWTG-Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure in turning guidelines into lifelines. In addition, Seven Rivers Regional has joined the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 5 Million Lives Campaign, is a partner with Florida Medical Quality Assurance, Inc. on Medicare projects and has been honored as one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals (1999, 2001) and Top 100 Hospital for Stroke (2000). Seven Rivers Regional can be found on the World Wide Web at www.srrmc.com.
