DR. POLITI ENCOURAGES WOMEN TO OBTAIN BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS DURING NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Victor F. Politi, MD, FACP, FACEP

President/CEO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 20, 2017

PRESS CONTACT:

Shelley Lotenberg

shelley@numc.edu

516-572-6055

DR. POLITI ENCOURAGES WOMEN TO OBTAIN BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS DURING NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

East Meadow, NY………..In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, NuHealth/NUMC’s President/CEO, Victor F. Politi, MD, FACP, FACEP, is encouraging all women to talk to their health care providers about breast cancer screening and their personal risk for the disease.

“Great advances have been made in early detection and treatment of breast cancer, and many women diagnosed with the disease are living long, healthy lives,” Dr. Politi said. “During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we urge women between 50 and 74 years of age and at average risk for breast cancer to receive a mammogram every two years for breast cancer screening.  Women younger than age 50 or at increased risk for breast cancer should talk with their doctor about when and how often they should be screened.”

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in New York State. A mammogram is recommended every two years for women between 50 and 74 years of age.  Breast cancer is most commonly found in women 50 years old or older. Other women, including women who are between 40 and 49 years old, or those with family histories or other risk factors for breast cancer, or who have any symptoms or changes in their breasts, should talk to their doctor about what screening schedule is right for them. Recommendations for when a woman should begin breast cancer screening and how often a woman should be screened differ among leading organizations with guidelines for cancer screening.

“Until there is resolution regarding the current differences among screening guidelines and the important national discussions about when and how often a woman should be screened, each woman should be aware of her personal risk for breast cancer and make an informed decision, with her doctor, about when and how often she should be screened,” Dr. Politi said.

Although the causes of breast cancer are still unknown, the following factors may increase a woman’s risk for the disease:

·        Advancing age;

·        Having a first menstrual period younger than 12 years old;

·        Starting menopause older than the age of 55;

·        Never giving birth or having delayed giving birth to a first child until after age 30;

·        Not breastfeeding;

·        Having a personal or family history (on the mother’s or father’s side) of breast cancer, especially early (pre-menopausal) breast cancer;

·        Having certain gene mutations such as BRCA 1 or BRCA 2;

·        Being overweight or obese;

·        Drinking alcoholic beverages (the level of risk rises as the amount of alcohol consumed rises);

·        Being sedentary;

·        Having a history of radiation exposure to the chest; or

·        Taking hormone replacement therapy for an extended period of time.

Even if a woman has one or more of these risk factors for breast cancer, it does not mean she will be diagnosed with the disease. Conversely, many women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have any risk factors or unusual symptoms, which is why screening is important. Women with a personal or family history of breast cancer may want to consider genetic counseling to determine if they are at greater risk for developing the disease.

Uninsured women who are 40 years of age and older can get breast cancer screening through the New York State Cancer Services Program. Click to find a Cancer Services Program in your community, a genetic counselor, legal services or a breast cancer support program, or call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262).

In addition, cancer screening is an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act, so health plans  participating in the New York State of Health must cover cancer screening tests at no cost to the patient . For more information, go to the New York State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace website or call the help line at 855.355.5777 or TTY: 800.662.1220.

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ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life.  Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community.  By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.

For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.