* Cancer Screening in Local Area

Bonnie's Bus, a state-of-the art mobile mammography unit, will be providing breast and cervical cancer screening at the Clarksburg Mission on Wednesday, December 8, 2010. The Mission is located at 312 N. 4th Street in Clarksburg.   An order from a health care provider is required for screening. They accept Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurances.  Some women may qualify for free pap tests, pelvic exams, breast exams, and mammograms.  Call Health Access at 304-622-2708 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

You can also check out the calendar at the website for Bonnie's Bus to see if bus will be coming to your local area.

*October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  To read more about this topic check out http://www.nbcam.org/.  You can find out more about current annual mammogram recommendations and information on the disease.

If you would like information on Physical Therapy and breast cancer check out my past newsletter on the topic. 

West Virginia has a program that provides free cancer prevention screening including mammograms to qualified people.  Check out the WV Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening program web page to see the criteria and when this screening is available in your area.



* Early PT Reduces Breast Surgery Complications

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that women who participated in early physical therapy could prevent and/or reduce the risk of developing lymphedema following breast surgery. Following axillary (under arm) lymph node dissection, lymphedema is the most significant complication. Up to 71% of women are affected by lymphedema within 12 months of surgery, resulting in swelling of the arm, cosmetic disfigurement, anxiety, and emotional distress.

Physical therapy consisted of massage, scar tissue mobility, specific exercise, and education. The researchers found that of 116 women who completed the study, only 18 (16%) developed secondary lymphedema after one year. The results of the study indicated that “early physical therapy could be an effective intervention in the prevention of secondary lymphedema in women for at least 1 year after surgery for breast cancer involving dissection of axillary lymph nodes.”

At Clemens Physical Therapy, we provide free screening before and after breast cancer surgery. This consists of measuring and comparing the size of the arms to determine if there are any changes. This is an indication of developing lymphedema. Steps can then be taken to prevent complications.

Jennifer Key MPT

Torres LM, Yuste Sanchez MJ, Zapico GA, Prieto MD, Mayoral dM, Cerezo TE, Minayo ME. Effectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer: randomised, single blinded, clinical trial. BMJ 2010; 340:b5396.

*Breast Cancer- Screening Associated to Wealth and Ethnicity in England

Researchers in England found that women owning cars and homes were more likely to have breast and cervical cancer screenings. In England, women aged fifty to seventy are encouraged to get breast screening every three years. Women aged twenty five to sixty-four are encouraged to get cervical cancer screening every three to five years.

An encouraging finding was that 84 percent of the eligible women have had both cervical and breast cancer screening. There was a higher probability of Caucasian women who own cars and homes to have had the screening.

In America the American Cancer Society recommends mammograms every year after age 40 and more frequently per doctor’s recommendations if there is a reason, such as a family history of breast cancer. They recommend cervical cancer screening pap smears 3 years after starting intercourse or no later than age 21 and yearly thereafter. After 3 normal tests in a row after age 30, frequency can decrease to every 3 years.

Check with your doctor regarding your specific needs. In West Virginia if you need financial assistance, screenings may be provided free to those who qualify. Check out the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for information on their West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (WVBCCSP). There is information on how the under and uninsured can participate in breast and cervical screening services.

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/338/jun16_2/b2025 accessed 6-24-2009

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_2_3x_acs_cancer_detection_guidelines_36.asp accessed 6-24-2009

http://www.wvdhhr.org/bccsp/ accessed 6-24-2009