The Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma has been selected as the 2019 Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Small Employer Recognition Award recipient. They were chosen from among the best in the country as a shining example of oncology nursing at it finest. The award will be presented on Friday, April 12, during the Recognition Breakfast for Oncology Certified Nurses at the ONS Annual Conference in Anaheim, California.
Most cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that is passed from person to person during sex. Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer. The Pap test looks for cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated, and the HPV test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes. HPV vaccines can protect women against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable. The most important thing you can do to help prevent cervical cancer is to get screening tests regularly starting at age 21.
Key Facts
Prevention Tips
During this month, you may notice pink ribbons floating around and are probably aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Understandably, many of us will think of this as being an awareness month for women, but what about male breast cancer? Of those that develop cancer, less than 1% of cases occur in men,1 but this is still not a small number of diagnoses. This means over 2,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and between 400 and 500 are expected to lose their battle to the disease each year.2
Given that men rarely think to look for signs of breast cancer, it is important that during this month of awareness we take the time to inform men of the symptoms, risk factors and next steps if they believe they may have a problem.
The signs of breast cancer in men start just as the signs do in women. A man may discover a painless lump or thicker area of breast tissue. Changes to the skin covering the breast may also occur such as redness, scaling, dimpling or puckering.
Less common are changes to the nipple, including redness or scaling, or a nipple that is suddenly turning inward. There may also be discharge from the nipple.
In cancer that has spread, men may also experience breast pain or bone pain. Lymph node swelling may occur near the breast, most commonly in or near the armpit.
Breast cancer is more common among older men although it can develop at any age. Receiving previous radiation treatment to the breast or chest area may increase the risk of a man developing breast cancer. Diseases linked to high levels of estrogen in the body, such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or Klinefelter syndrome (a genetic disorder) can also increase the likeliness of breast cancer development.
Most men that develop breast cancer have at least one female relative who has been diagnosed also. Some men learn that they carry the gene mutation BRCA2 after being diagnosed. If multiple cases of cancer have occured in a family, a doctor may be able to recommend family members for genetic counseling to find out if they also carry the gene mutation and assess their risk. BRCA2 is also linked to prostate cancer.
Diagnosed early, the chances of being cured are positive, much like that of female breast cancer. Unfortunately, Men are often not coached to look for symptoms to the extent that women are. Many men lose their battle to breast cancer because it was simply too late, so early diagnosis and receiving clinical and genetic tests can be crucial.
Upon first noticing symptoms, men should contact their primary care physician for a physical exam. The physician may also perform a clinical breast exam (CBE). A mammogram, blood tests, ultrasound and MRI may also be ordered. If a problem is suspected, biopsies are then the next step.
When diagnosed with breast cancer, mastectomy, the removal of the breast, is more commonly recommended for men than women. Men naturally have less breast tissue causing mastectomy to sometimes be the only option. Other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may be advisable.
Men that develop breast cancer may have an especially hard time coping with their diagnosis. Research on the psychological effects of male breast cancer noted anxiety, emasculation, embarrassment, and depression.3
“There are huge obstacles being a man with a ‘woman’s disease’, and it goes way beyond the normal stress and tribulations that consume all cancer patients,”4 stated Harvey Singer, male breast cancer survivor.
“We want to see things different for men moving forward. Breast cancer doesn’t care about gender. It will affect men and women the same,”4 responded Harvey’s sister, Vicki, who also has survived the disease.
Although not to the extent of support for women, support of male breast cancer patients is growing. A simple web search will result in an encouraging number of resources and organizations dedicated to supporting male patients and stopping this deadly disease in men. As more awareness is achieved for men struggling with breast cancer, perhaps more men will be able to come “out of the shadows of pink” and feel supported through this difficult disease.
Here at CCMH, we hope to honor those fighting bravely against breast cancer not only throughout the month of October, but every day. We are proud to house The Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center of Southwest Oklahoma on our campus, offering medical oncology and radiation oncology services and hematology treatment on site. If you have any questions or concerns about cancer cancer, visit https://www.ccmhhealth.com/cancer-care/.
1 National Center for Biotechnology Information. 3 Feb. 2011. A case report of male breast cancer in a very young patient: What is changing?
2 American Cancer Society. 27 April 2018. Key Statistics for Breast Cancer in Men.
3 Kipling, Mike. Raplh, Jane E.M. and Callahan, Keith. National Center for Biotechnology Information. National Center for Biotechnology Information. 11 Feb. 2014. Psychological Impact of Male Breast Disorders: Literature Review and Survey Results.
4 HIS Breast Cancer Awareness. 2016. About HIS Breast Cancer Awareness.
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Use of the information obtained by the Comanche County Memorial Hospital website does not replace medical advice given by a qualified medical provider to meet the medical needs of our readers or others.
While content is frequently updated, medical information changes quickly. Information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies or typographical errors. For questions or concerns, please contact us at contact@ccmhhealth.com.
October is breast cancer awareness month and Comanche County Memorial Hospital, is the only hospital to offer the fastest testing for breast cancer in southwest Oklahoma.
In the past when a patient had a mammogram and a lump was found, the tissue taken from the biopsy would be sent out of state for pathologists to examine. That could take up to a week. But if the patient needed additional testing, it could take even longer.
Now CCMH offers this type of testing on site. Patients can have the diagnosis of cancer within 24 – 48 hours.
Dr. Carol Dittmann is the Chief of Pathology at Comanche County Memorial Hospital. She says decreasing the time they inform the patient of a diagnosis of cancer is crucial.
“From the point the patient has an abnormal mammogram to the point of seeing the oncologist and making treatment plans and decisions, we aim for that to be less than a week,” Dr. Dittmann said. “With this new technology in house, we are able to achieve that.”
Dr. Dittmann wants to remind people that breast cancer can happen to both men and women, and that this new technology can help everyone in the community. She says to keep up with your yearly mammograms and to get checked out if you feel a lump in your breasts.
To schedule an appointment to get a mammogram, you can call the McMahon Center for Breast Health at 580-250-5856.
Although there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, no one is immune from this disease. The McMahon Center for Breast Health, at Comanche County Memorial Hospital, is the first and only comprehensive breast cancer program in Southwest Oklahoma, providing a multidisiplinary approach to preventing, detecting, treating and ultimately beating cancer. The key to survival is early detection and access to state-of-the-art technology and treatment.
The McMahon Center for Breast Health features the most advanced diagnostic tools to include: 3D mammography, breast MRI and the only fellowship trained breast cancer radiologist in the region, giving our patients the greatest chance of early detection and survival. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take the first step to survival and schedule your mammogram today by calling 580.250.5846
The Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma would like to announce the addition of High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy treatments for gynecological cancers at our Lawton facility. We have added a Nucletron Microselectron 6 channel HDR unit and are ready to begin treating patients with cervical and uterine cancers. This additional treatment option will be of great benefit to patients in Southwest Oklahoma who will no longer have to make the long drive out of town to receive this type of Radiation Therapy.
Delivering these treatments will be Dr. J. Michael Kerley and Dr. M. Leann Smith. Dr. Kerley has over 20 years experience with HDR Brachytherapy performing a variety of procedures. Those procedures include skin treatments, prostate, lung, and gynecological tumors.
Dr. Smith joins our practice after completing her training from the University of Oklahoma at the Stevenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City, OK. Both physicians have extensive training and knowledge in delivering Brachytherapy treatments and are enthusiastic to begin offering this treatment locally.
To schedule a potential patient please call 580.536.2121, Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM and our scheduler will be happy to set up the consultation appointment with either Dr. Kerley or Dr. Smith. Additionally, both physicians can be reached at this number if you would like to speak to them personally about a particular patient or with questions about our Brachytherapy program.
