Breast Care Specialists in Pennsylvania
Breast Health
Although mammograms are important, maintaining good breast health throughout your lifetime is about more than breast cancer prevention and detection. Breast cancer specialists at the Penn Highlands breast care center can help you learn the signs and symptoms of non-cancerous conditions such as cysts, fibrosis, fibroadenoma, calcifications, and benign tumors that can also increase your risk for breast cancer. Women in Pennsylvania also benefit from early detection and expert treatment of breast cancer at our one of eleven comprehensive breast centers. Our team of breast care specialists includes the region’s only radiologist specially trained in reading breast scans.
Breast Cancer Screenings
In tandem with monthly breast self-exams and regular clinical breast exams performed by your primary care physician or gynecologist, breast care specialists recommend regular preventive screenings for early detection of breast health conditions, including breast cancer. Most screenings use low-level radiation to create high-resolution scans of breast tissue. Physicians called radiologists review these scans to look for masses or abnormalities. Penn Highlands features the region’s only radiologist specially trained in reading breast scans. Women should ask their doctor about these three common breast cancer screenings:
- Mammography: Mammography uses X-ray technology to check for tumors and other signs of breast cancer. Penn Highlands offers state-of-the-art 2-D and 3-D mammographies, in private and comfortable settings, throughout central Pennsylvania to ensure there is a breast care center near you. The more advanced 3-D mammogram provides enhanced image clarity by imaging the breast in “slices” from many different angles. This technology is often recommended for women who have been diagnosed with dense breasts. The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammography screenings between ages 45-54, then screenings every other year after age 55. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, talk with your physician about a personalized screening schedule.
- Breast ultrasound: Breast ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to provide a clear picture of soft tissues that do not show up well on X-ray images. Breast ultrasound is primarily used to help diagnose abnormalities, such as a lump or nipple discharge, and also can help physicians determine if an abnormality is solid or fluid-filled, such as a cyst. Breast ultrasound can be particularly beneficial for women with dense breasts.
- Stereotactic breast biopsy: If a mammogram or clinical breast exam does detect a lump in your breast, you’re in good hands at Penn Highlands comprehensive breast center. We offer minimally invasive stereotactic breast biopsies, where a doctor removes a small sample of breast tissue to examine it for breast cancer or other abnormalities. We also perform ultrasound-guided breast biopsies, where a doctor uses ultrasound imaging to pinpoint the exact tissue to be removed for examination.
Penn Highlands Brookville provide women of the region with:
- Breast Health and Mammography
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Penn Highlands Clearfield provide women of the region with:
- Breast Health and Mammography
- MRI - Breast Scan
- Ultrasound - Breast
Penn Highlands Connellsville provide women of the region with:
- Mammography
- MRI - Breast Scan
- Ultrasound - Breast
Penn Highlands DuBois provide women of the region with:
- Mammography
- MRI - Breast Scan
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
- Ultrasound - Breast
Penn Highlands Elk provide women of the region with:
- Mammography
- MRI - Breast Scan
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
- Ultrasound - Breast
Penn Highlands Huntingdon provide women of the region with:
- Mammography
- MRI - Breast Scan
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
- Ultrasound - Breast
Penn Highlands Mon Valley provide women of the region with:
- Mammography
- MRI - Breast Scan
- Ultrasound - Breast
Penn Highlands Tyrone provide women of the region with:
- Mammography
- MRI - Breast Scan
- Ultrasound - Breast
What Should I do to keep my Breasts Healthy?
The most important thing you can do is to become familiar with your breasts through monthly breast self-exams. These routine checks will help you notice changes such as lumps, dimpling, and discharge. In addition, be sure to get regular clinical breast exams and screenings, including mammograms or breast ultrasound. Living a healthy lifestyle reduces your risk of breast cancer and other health issues, so try to:
- get regular exercise
What Sort of Breast Health Changes Should I Look for?
Monthly breast self-exams can help you become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. Tell your physician if you notice any of these changes to your breast:
- Swelling
- Skin dimpling, which can have the texture of an orange peel
- Nipple retraction
- Nipple discharge or irritated nipple skin
- Breast or nipple pain
- Swelling of the lymph nodes under your arm or near your collarbone
At Penn Highlands breast cancer center, we can assess your risk of breast cancer and recommend an appropriate screening schedule.
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent screenings. You are at increased risk of developing breast cancer if you have:
- A first-degree relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer under age 50, this includes your mother, sisters, or daughters
- Multiple women in your family who have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, or you have a male family member who was diagnosed with breast cancer
- Past breast cancer diagnosis
- Past breast biopsy has shown atypical or abnormal cells or a lobular carcinoma in situ
- Positive test for BRCA1, BRCA2, or other genetic mutations associated with breast cancer
- Used hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy for long periods of time
- Had breast implants
- Had chest radiation for treatment of lymphoma
Lifestyle factors that are associated with increased risk, including being overweight or obese, not exercising, smoking, and/or drinking more than 2-3 alcoholic drinks per day
