by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and though it’s widely recognized, its message remains crucial. But breast cancer isn’t the only women’s health concern that gets the spotlight in October. The month is also Menopause Awareness Month.
To learn more about these issues, we reached out to Central Florida Health Care’s Dr. LaReesa Ferdinand, an OB/GYN with more than 20 years of experience.
A number of risk factors can contribute to developing breast cancer, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
“So first, you have your overall genetic risk factors. When we say genetics, many people think of family risk, but most breast cancers are not hereditary,” Dr. Ferdinand says.
In fact, only 5%-10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, with the remaining genetic factors including circumstances like random mutations.
“Then there are the environmental and lifestyle risk factors,” she continues. “And a lot of these are under your control. These are things like the foods you eat, environmental hazards, and even stress. Excessive consumption of alcohol, being overweight or obese, and excessive radiation exposure can also increase a woman’s risk. So how can we reduce a woman’s risk? It has to do with the daily choices that we make to help our body build a better defense system.”
The vast majority of breast cancer diagnoses occur in women, and it’s the second most commonly diagnosed form of cancer for women in the U.S. It can present a variety of signs and symptoms, including lumps or thickened areas of skin; changes in skin color or texture; and changes to the size, shape, or appearance of the breast. However, many people with breast cancer will have no symptoms, which is why regular screening is key. Recently, the FDA added a new screening requirement to include breast density reports for mammograms.
“Breast density is a measure of how much fibrous and glandular tissue there is in the breast compared to fat tissue. It isn’t related to breast size or firmness,” Dr. Ferdinand explains.
Breast density is important because dense tissue may make it harder to spot breast cancer on a mammogram and also increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
“Regardless of what your breast density is, you should talk to your health care provider about breast density, your additional risk factors that may contribute to breast cancer, and your individual situation.”
In addition to discussing breast cancer with your doctor, women are also urged to talk with their healthcare providers about menopause.
“I’m on a mission to change the narrative around women’s health in general. [Central Florida Health Care’s] whole approach is that modern health care can have a blend of holistic wellness, which means really treating the whole person. And this becomes even more important in menopause,” she says. “Menopause is getting a lot of increased attention lately, and it’s becoming less taboo to talk about. Newer generations are really trying to have a conversation about it.”
Menopause is marked by a decrease in the production of estrogen and progesterone, and can have many health implications, including osteoporosis. By opening up conversations about this topic and other health concerns, women can empower themselves to take charge of their health.
Dr. Ferdinand emphasizes the importance of awareness and self-advocacy.
“If you’re noticing changes in your body that are decreasing your quality of life, don’t ignore them,” she continues. “Find a healthcare provider for you in this season of life. That may be a different person from who delivered your baby, and that’s okay. And keep in mind that the relationship you have with yourself and your environment is so vital to how your body will heal. So this is a time to have a really deep self inventory, to be aware, and to make those changes.”