Jessica Baladad’s Post

Breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, but many women/men with breast cancer have had no symptoms. Many times, after symptoms become visible it may indicate a further breast cancer stage. There are ways to detect breast cancer earlier: ·       Monthly Breast Self-Exams. Or ·       Scheduling Regular Annual Exams for early detection - Routine mammograms are one of those important check-ups covered under Preventive screenings through your insurance that play a huge role in fighting breast cancer. If the individual does not have insurance, there are options for a screening, for example: The Rose offers free screenings  www.therose.org  to individuals in need. If further testing is necessary, the doctor will order more tests (ultrasounds/lab tests/biopsy). If your mammogram screening was abnormal, don’t panic. Only about 20% of all breast tumors are cancerous and most cancerous tumors are treatable. Once an individual is determined to have a malignant tumor or the diagnosis of breast cancer, the doctor/specialist would say which stage the breast cancer is in and continue to the next step. There are 4 stages: ·       Stages 0 &1 ·       Stages II and IIA ·       Stages III (A,B,C) ·       Stage (IV) In general, there are several treatment options, but finding the right team, one that consists of professionals with whom you are comfortable with makes a big difference in how your treatment will progress. The Team will then advise as to which is the best course of treatment for the individual.  The team you select will explain the risk factors, side effects and any side affects you experience and the options for reliving them. Finding support during your journey is important, in family, friends and others who are navigating or have navigated the cancer journey. Breast Cancer Myths: Breast cancer is contagious, you cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else’s body, ITS NOT AN STD. Site the source: https://lnkd.in/gXciwB3 https://lnkd.in/ebK-DxJk www.therose.org  

November 4, 2020 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Inflammatory Breast Cancer. I was 43 and I had never had a mammogram before. Even though I was in a lot of pain, I could never find the lump… even though my right breast had changed dramatically overnight. Looking at the date, I will be 46 years old in 2 weeks. I am advocating for early detection. For women to get their boobies checked. I am 1 in 8 women who was diagnosed with breast cancer. The early detection of breast cancer through annual mammography and other breast exams is the best defense against receiving a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis. I was a woman that had no known history of breast cancer. But early detection is key to having it not spread. Because I didn’t have insurance I went to Interfaith in The Woodlands. They then referred me to The Rose on Featherwood. It was there that they helped me to get insurance so that I could get treatment. I started my treatment at Millennium with Dr. Khoury, because I had seen him since 2004 until (or off and on) 2017 because of Aplastic Anemia. Now I am under the care of Texas Oncology with Dr. Ryan. I went through chemotherapy (4 biweekly infusion of A/C and 12 weekly infusion of Taxol). My cancer had spread while getting chemotherapy. I had a bilateral mastectomy on June 29, 2021, because the cancer had spread they took out 13 lymph nodes, 12 was positive for cancer. I went through 6 weeks of radiation (i had 3rd degree burns from it). I will have to deal with lymphedema for the rest of my life. I am learning to exercise again and the exercises that is most effective for my treatments. August 22, 2022 I had surgery again. This time it was transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap (tram flap). Even after a year I am still recovering from that surgery. I had to do HBO, 40 treatments of being put into a chamber so that my body would heal. And now I go to the oncologist at Texas Oncology in The Woodlands every 28 days so that I can get an injection, to both suppress my ovaries and to hopefully keep cancer from coming back. The last 2 years have been rough, but I am still here… advocating for other women to have those mammograms, so hopefully they don’t become a person that becomes part of the statistics. #inflammatorybreastcancer #lymphedema #earlydetection #earlydetectionsaveslives #getyourboobieschecked #gratitude #chemotherapy #Adriamycin #cyclophosphamide #taxol #mastectomy #reconstruction #tramflap #transverserectusabdominusmyocutaneousflap #menopause #remission #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness Linda Nelson Paula Ryan Texas Oncology Breast Cancer Now CHARLOTTE POE BINGHAM Memorial Hermann The Woodlands The Rose, nonprofit breast health organization Interfaith Of The Woodlands Mark Barlow INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The USPSTF had a big announcement today, dropping the age recommended to start mammograms for breast cancer screening to age 40 from age 50. The American Cancer Society estimates over 313,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year. And breast cancer incidence has been climbing at a faster clip since 2016 for women under age 50. I'm a big proponent of this change today. I see every day at work just how young (and hard) breast cancer is hitting, and that there's evidence-based, inexpensive, and non-invasive screening available that makes a difference. Despite being out of sync with other leading bodies, including the ACS, USPSTF had pushed the age for recommended screening to 50 back in 2009. Since then, there've been many women who've had issues accessing mammograms because the coverage from their healthcare plans follows USPSTF guidance. The question now is how quickly this change will actually help women. ACS research back in September found 73% of individuals overdue for colon cancer screening never received the recommendation from their primary care doctor. Big guidelines updates cause confusion from doctors and plans. https://lnkd.in/gqd9b5EP

In recognition of National Stress Awareness Day, Checkpoint extends support to those dealing with stress from a recent or previous skin cancer diagnosis. “Some amount of feeling depressed, anxious, or worried is normal after being diagnosed with cancer. Some people are affected more than others. But everyone can benefit from help and support from other people.” Learn more tips and resources for coping with a skin cancer diagnosis from The American Cancer Society: https://lnkd.in/ePau2HU4

Breast cancer awareness aims to educate people about the disease, its risk factors, and the importance of early detection. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops from abnormal cell growth within the breast tissues, often starting in the lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them. To check yourself for breast cancer, perform regular self-examinations, which can help identify any changes or abnormalities. Follow these steps: 1. Visual inspection: Stand in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips and examine your breasts for any changes in shape, size, or contour. Then, raise your arms above your head and look for the same changes. 2. Physical examination: Lie down on a flat surface with a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using the fingertips of your left hand, make small circular motions to feel for any lumps or changes in your right breast. Repeat the process on your left breast using your right hand. 3. Raise your arm and press gently on your breasts, checking for any discomfort or lumps. 4. In the shower, use soapy hands to feel your breasts for any abnormalities. Schedule regular check-ups with a healthcare professional and maintain open communication about any concerns or changes you notice. Consult our expert Consultants for professional examinations and advice on breast cancer screening methods. Our experts can provide personalized guidance based on your risk factors and medical history.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a report bringing the recommended age for breast cancer screenings to 40 for most women of average risk. Previously, the USPSTF guidance said screening should start no later than age 50. By lowering the screening age, the USPSTF predicts this change has the potential to avert 1.3 cases of death from breast cancer per 1000 women over a lifetime of screening. This is huge news to piggyback off the fact that despite being well into the year 2024, we are still catching up from the nearly 10 million cancer screenings that were missed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to breast cancer, there have been significant declines in screenings for 5 other major cancers: colorectal, lung, pancreas, prostate, and thyroid. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. but according to the American Cancer Society, access to early cancer screenings and intervention can reduce deaths by up to 45%. Accessibility may be a challenge, but having the ability to proactively engage your patient population with reminders to come in for screenings is just one small thing that technology can help us with that makes an outsized impact. If you need help, Cured by Innovaccer has the technology that can help, so let's chat because cancer sucks! Let's help our communities stay ahead of the curve and be more proactive about their care. #preventativecare #breastcancerawareness #cancerscreening #healthcare #patientengagement #healthcaremarketing #populationhealth

🎗 Exciting update for breast cancer screening 🎗 According to new guidance issued last month by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, women should get a mammogram every other year starting at age 40 (previous guidance was age 50). This change is estimated to save up to 20% more lives 💪 However, let's pause for a moment and consider this: Did you know that only 14% of all cancers in the U.S. are detected through reccomended screening tests? That means that 86% of cancers are caught at later stages when symptoms occur or pursuant to other medical care... While appreciating this progress, it's crucial to acknowledge that there's still much ground to cover in the fight against cancer. So, yes, let's celebrate this milestone, but let's also recognize it as a reminder of the ongoing battle against cancer. Let's continue advocating, supporting research, and empowering individuals with knowledge and resources. Because every life matters, and every step forward counts. #BreastCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #Prenuvo #ProactiveHealthcare #WholeBodyMRI https://lnkd.in/gKmg5E8p

Lung cancer causes more cancer deaths than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. "The vast majority of lung cancer deaths," Yale University School of Medicine describes, "are caused by smoking." Explore screening options, and discover whether a lung cancer screening could be right for you, during Lung Cancer Awareness Month: https://bit.ly/45WXBv7 #CancerResearch #EarlyDetection #LungCancer #LungCancerAwarenessMonth