300,000 breast implant surgeries are performed each year in the United States. Though not a form of cancer in the traditional sense, ALCL (anaplastic large cell lymphoma) has been associated with a specific type of breast implant. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks to Dr. Jay Agarwal, chief of plastic surgery at Huntsman Cancer Insitute, about which type of breast implant is most likely to be presented with the signs and symptoms of ALCL.
Many women who experience uncommon breast pain immediately think of breast cancer. Dr. Kirtly Jones says it’s probably something else. She explains what can cause breast pain in women of different ages and the most important thing to do if one or more of your breasts feels tender.
From Downton Abbey to “Abby Normal”— Dr. Kirtly Jones explains the variations in women’s breasts and how cultural, ethnic, and developmental differences influence the perceptions of what constitutes normal. She gives suggestions and guidelines for those who may want to change the size of one breast. She also discusses whether the size discrepancy has any effect on the breasts’ function.
There are two kinds of mammograms available to women. While both mammograms are used to prevent breast cancer, they are different depending on whether or not a woman has any symptoms. Radiologist Dr. Anna McGow explains the differences between a screening mammogram and a diagnostic mammogram. Learn which mammogram is right for you.
From month to month and year to year, the tissue in your breasts change. Some of these changes could be breast lumps. How much should you worry about these? And...
How often do you perform breast self-exams? Jena Andrus and Karen O'Toole from Huntsman Cancer Institute talk about an app called Check Yourself. It’s a simple app that shows women how to do breast self-exams and also has built in monthly reminders. They discuss other options for preventing breast cancer and checking yourself regularly.
There is a lot of confusion about when to get a mammogram. Some groups say 40, some 50. Others say you should get a baseline at 40. Is it necessary? It sounds like a good idea, to have a picture of what things looked like so at 50 a doctor can determine if anything has changed. But is it really a good idea? What are the downsides or things you need to watch out for if your physician suggests a baseline mammogram. Dr. Kirtly Jones talks about those issues and what you need to know to have that conversation with your physician.
Whether you’ve just had a mastectomy or a lumpectomy, you might have some questions about what to expect after the surgery. Dr. Cindy Matsen is a breast cancer surgeon at Huntsman Cancer institute. She talks about what kinds of pain are normal and what’s not, and what to expect in terms of swelling, pain relievers and more.
Deciding how to treat your breast cancer can be a very difficult and personal decision. Dr. Cindy Matsen, breast surgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute, says it’s easy for women who begin initial research into these treatments to become overwhelmed and nervous. She explains in-depth how mastectomies and lumpectomies differ in terms of surgery, recovery, risk of recurrence, appearance and more.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women; about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Dr. Vivian Lee and Dr. Alana Welm discuss some of the misunderstandings about breast cancer, and Dr. Welm’s research on new breast cancer treatments. They also talk about a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer, and if men can get the disease.
Patients with the most aggressive forms of breast cancer die because the disease spreads to other organs, or becomes metastatic. Researcher Alana Welm, a professor at Huntsman Cancer Institute has discovered a new way by which breast cancer metastasis works, and how to stop it. She discusses her findings and clinical trials that are already underway. Her breakthrough was published in the January 2 issue of Cell Reports.
