Early detection key to combating breast cancer Published Oct. 14, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden 15th Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month and 15th Medical Group personnel have launched a campaign to educate Airmen about the disease. According to Staff Sgt. Jennifer Ferguson, 15th Medical Group Women's Health Flight NCOIC, early detection is the best protection from breast cancer. The American Cancer Society sites breast cancer as the second leading cause of cancer death in women noting that about one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. Armed with this knowledge, Ferguson reminds women that it's their responsibility to take a proactive role in their healthcare. "Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam performed by a health professional every three years during their well woman exam," she said. "Monthly self-exams are recommended for women starting in their 20s because it is a way for women to notice if any breast changes occur, in which case they should report it to their health professional right away." In addition to monthly self-exams, women over the age of 40 are encouraged to have a yearly mammogram and clinical breast exam. "When found early, the five year survival rate for breast cancer is 96 percent," Ferguson said. Though breast cancer is widely thought to be a disease that affects only women, men should also educate themselves on the disease which, according to the American Cancer Society, affects about one in 1,000 men. To put it into perspective, roughly 2,369 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2014, and about 430 men will die from the disease. "Men should do checks too," said Lt. Col. Toneka Machado, 15th MDG chief nurse. "The earlier anyone can detect it, the better the prognosis." Though October is officially recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Machado said preventative care and early detection should be a priority all year long. "So many women are uncomfortable with the idea of breast cancer or they are uncomfortable talking about it in general," she said. "Some people think because there's no family history they are not at risk, but don't think it can't happen to you. Breast cancer is very real and it affects all parts of our society both male and female. These are the things we want to bring awareness to." One Airman all too familiar with the reality of breast cancer is Staff Sgt. Amanda Dick of Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs. Dick was diagnosed with breast cancer Oct. 4, 2013, and attributes her own awareness and early detection with saving her life. "With such a high risk of cancer in my family, I've always been super conscious about this issue. I found the lump while conducting a routine self-breast examination," she said. "When found, my lump was the size of a pea. By the time I had surgery three months later, it had grown to just smaller than the size of a lime. Because the lump was fairly small (by cancer standards) and found early, and the fact that the cancer hadn't spread to my lymph nodes, I was diagnosed as Stage 2a." A little over a year later, with two surgeries and eight chemo treatments behind her, Dick has a positive outlook on the future, but insists being familiar with your body and detecting any abnormalities early are a must. Dick suggests Airmen use the month of October as a time to learn about their family history of cancer and educate themselves on the risks and symptoms of breast cancer. Throughout the month of October, educational pamphlets and literature will be available for free in the Family Health Clinic at the 15th MDG. Additionally, self-breast exam instructions and tracking calendars will also be available. For more information on breast cancer or to schedule a clinical breast exam or mammogram contact your health care provider.