The Doctor Is In: Breast Health Awareness
Content is sponsored and provided by Henry Ford Health System
October is the month of pink - a time to emphasize the importance of breast cancer prevention and early diagnosis, as well as learn about the vast treatment options available to patients.
+About one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.
+ In 2017, an estimated 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., along with 63,410 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
+Most women who develop breast cancer will not have a family history of breast cancer.
+Breast cancer can be caused by inherited gene mutations, including a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, which makes up about 5% to 10% of all breast cancers.
+Other risk factors for breast cancer: a family history of the disease, menstruating at an early age, older age at first birth or never having given birth, and taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone for symptoms of menopause.
Early Detection
If breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and a better chance for survival.
All women age 20 and older should get in the habit of performing regular breast self-exams.
Unless there is a family history or additional personal risk for breast cancer, yearly mammograms should begin at age 40.
High-Risk & Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Aging, being female, or having had breast cancer in the past puts you at higher risk for breast cancer.
Other risk factors include: Family history of breast or ovarian cancer; genetic mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2); dense breasts; radiation exposure to the chest wall; postmenopausal obesity; starting your period before age 12 and going into menopause after age 55; never giving birth or having a child after age 35; and excessive alcohol consumption.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer is an aggressive form of the disease that disproportionally affects African American women and young patients.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer doesn't respond well to treatments like biological therapy and hormone therapy, which are more targeted therapies that work for other types of breast cancer.
Breast Reconstruction Awareness
Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day in October was created to educate women about the surgical reconstruction options available to breast cancer patients who undergo mastectomy or lumpectomy.
Breast reconstruction often can occur at the same time as a mastectomy or lumpectomy. In some cases, it may require a separate surgery.
Patients have a variety of reconstruction options available to them, including microsurgery techniques that use a patient's own tissue for reconstruction without removing any muscle, and oncoplastic reconstruction, which combines traditional lumpectomy with standard breast reduction.
Henry Ford is hosting two free Breast Reconstruction Awareness Seminars in October, to educate the community about breast reconstruction options.
Henry Ford Experts:
Lisa Newman, M.D.
Director, Breast Oncology Program Henry Ford Cancer Institute
Dunya Atisha, M.D.
Director, Breast Reconstruction & Microvascular Surgery Henry Ford Health System
Michelle Bommarito
Professional Wellness Chef
NUTRIENT-RICH BLACK LENTIL AND MUNG BEAN STEW
As part of Henry Ford's annual Breast Health Boot Camps across metro Detroit, professional wellness chef Michelle Bommarito, will provide culinary demonstrations, including how to make Nutrient-Rich Black Lentil and Mung Bean Stew.
Ingredients:
Extra light olive oil: 1 Tbsp.
Sweet potatoes: 1/2 lb., peeled, cut into 1/8 inch dice
Organic rainbow carrots (purple/white/orange/yellow): 1/2 lb., peeled, cut into 1/8 inch dice
Celery: 1/2 lb., cut into 1/8 inch dice
Vegetable broth: 1/2 cup
San Marzano tomatoes: 28 oz. can (crushed/low sodium)
Black lentils: 1/2 lb. (8 oz., cooked)
Mung beans: 1/2 lb., (8 oz., cooked)
Cracked black pepper: 1 tsp.
Himalayan salt: 2-1/2 tsp.
Unfiltered extra virgin olive oil: 1 Tbsp.
Pure maple syrup: 2 tsp.
Fresh parsley: 1/2 cup, finely chopped
Method:
In a large stock pan over medium heat, add in 1 Tbs. of extra light olive oil.
Add in the diced sweet potatoes and continuously stir in a "figure eight" with a wooden spoon or high heat spatula for 7 minutes.
Add in the carrots and continuously stir in a "figure eight" for 3 minutes.
Then add in the celery and continuously stir in a "figure eight" for 3 minutes.
Add in the homemade vegetable broth. Then add in the tomatoes and stir well. Add in the cooked black lentils and mung beans and combine well.
Add in the pepper and salt. Drizzle in unfiltered extra virgin olive oil and pure maple syrup.
Combine well and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Adjust any necessary seasoning.
Serve over black forbidden Japonica rice and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.
YIELD: 9 servings