When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer there is no way to prepare for all she will have to cope with. That is why knowledge and a strong support system are necessary pillars for successfully getting through the hardship ahead. HOTTENSTEIN emphasized the importance of getting annual mammograms. RISK REDUCTION was another topic of discussion. A SECOND Lunch and Learn session will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Iola High School lecture hall.
Allen County Hospital is working to create that avenue for breast cancer patients with its free Lunch and Learn sessions. The first session was Wednesday at the hospital.
During the session, a four-person panel discussed cancer risk factors, preventatives, the importance of mammograms and personal experiences.
The panel consisted of Judy Works, a nurse practitioner, mammographer Andrea Hottenstein, breast cancer survivor Carolyn Murphy and director of food and nutrition service for the hospital Lisa Haney.
Works, a breast cancer survivor, explained what makes some women more at risk for breast cancer.
Some factors include late pregnancies, poor diet and nutrition and increased levels of hormone from either birth control pills, getting older and a family history of breast cancer.
Those risks account for only 20 percent of breast cancer cases, most are “spontaneous within the woman,” Works said.
Works said there are many more risk factors that affect different women but the important thing to remember is to be informed and to “be your own advocator.”
Once women are diagnosed with breast cancer Works suggests doing as much research as possible, talk to doctors and search online.
Men can be diagnosed with breast cancer but “out of all the breast cancer victims something like less than 1 percent are men,” Works said.
Most women cringe at the sound of the word mammogram, Hottenstein said, because of what can be a painful procedure.
But mammograms have come leaps and bounds compared to what they used to be like, she said. The machines have become more pressure sensitive.
“The only thing the machines don’t do now is warm up the plate,” Hottenstein said.
The recommended time for women to start getting annual mammograms is 40, but women should always consult with their doctors to make sure they are not at a higher risk and should start getting them earlier, Works said.
Haney said limiting alcohol intake for women, good diet and nutrition, exercise and not smoking all reduce the chances of breast cancer in women.
Murphy shared her experience with breast cancer and said the only time she let the cancer get to her was when her hair had begun falling out.
“It was the only time I cried,” she said.
But she picked herself back up, with the help of her support system — family and friends — and made a decision to beat the cancer.
For more information on the sessions or to schedule a mammogram call (620) 365-1250.
Fighting breast cancer with support
