Free Mammograms / Free Breast Care in Lee, Hendry, Glades, Collier, and Charlotte Counties for eligible residents!
Click on this link for more information on Breast Care Services we offer!
Information
Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for a mammogram:
Try to schedule the mammogram one or two weeks after your period. Breasts may be less tender at this time
Avoid food or beverages with caffeine before the mammogram
On the day of the mammogram, do not wear necklaces, deodorant, lotion, perfume or powder
Wear a two-piece outfit
Tell the technician about any changes you have noticed in your breasts
Don't feel shy about speaking up if you feel any discomfort during the screening
After taking the X-rays, the technician will check to make sure they are clear. If they are not clear, more X-rays may be needed to get the best possible view
If you do not receive results within 10 days after your mammogram, call the doctor's office
Remember the value of getting a mammogram and try to maintain a positive attitude during the exam
BRCA information
Details:
There are two BRCA (BReast CAncer) genes: BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. These BRCA genes keep breast, ovarian and other cells growing normally. Everyone has BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes.
Some women have abnormal or mutated BRCA genes. A mutated BRCA gene will not regulate cell growth normally. As a result, women with a BRCA gene mutation have a higher risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer than women who do not have a mutation. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, 55% – 65% of women who inherit a BRCA 1 mutation and 45% of women who inherit a BRCA 2 mutation will develop breast cancer by the time they are 70 years old.
It is important to know that just because you have a BRCA gene mutation does not mean you will develop breast cancer. Alternatively, you may still develop breast cancer even if you do not have a BRCA gene mutation.
Women in the U.S. General Population
About 7 out of 100 women in the U.S. general population will get breast cancer by age 70.
About 93 out of 100 of these women will NOT get breast cancer by age 70.
Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation
About 50 out of 100 women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will get breast cancer by age 70.
About 50 out of 100 of these women will NOTget breast cancer by age 70.
Please click on the link below that will take you to the Cancer Resource Center where some very good information regarding common practices and expections for cancer care has been translated into several different languages.
Cancer Care in the United States - Common Practices and Expectations
10 Top Causes of Death in Women in the United States
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (Yes, men get this too!)
In inflammatory breast cancer, the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm. The redness and warmth occur because the cancer cell block the lymph vessels in the skin. The skin of the breast may also show the pitted appearance called peau d'orange (like the skin of an orange). Inflammatory breast cancer may be stage IIIB, Stage IIIC, or stage IV.
Stage IIIB breast cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIB, the cancer may be any size, have spread to tissues near the breast (the skin or chest wall, including the ribs and muscles in the chest), and may have spread to lymph nodes within the breast or under the arm.
Stage IIIC breast cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIC, cancer has spread to lymph nodes beneath the collarbone and near the neck; and may have spread to lymph nodes within the breast or under the arm and to tissues near the breast.
Stage IV breast cancer. Cancer has spread to other organs of the body, most often the bones, lungs, liver or brain.
What are the symptoms of Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer can cause:
A change in the way the breast feels. The most common symptom is a painless lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
A change in the way the breast looks. The skin on the breast may dimple or look like an orange peel. There may be a change in the size or shape of the breast
A change in the nipple. It may turn in. The skin around it may look scaly
A clear or bloody fluid that comes out of the nipple
See your doctor right away if you notice any of these changes.
Many people think that only women get breast cancer. But about 1 in every 100 cases of breast cancer occurs in men. So any man who has a breast lump should be checked.
Explaining In Situ and Invasive Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the abnormal growth of the cells that line the ducts and lobes of the breast. The classification of breast cancer is based on:
Whether the cancer started in the ducts or the lobules of the breast
Whether the breast cancer cells have invaded other tissue in the breast
What the cancer cells look like under the microscope
Classification also takes into consideration such information as how rapidly the cancer cells are multiplying (tumor grade) and whether breast cancer cells are present in the nearby lymph nodes.
The following classifications describe the most common types of breast cancer:
In situ: A tumor that hasn't spread beyond the area where it began is called in situ
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): Although not a true cancer, LCIS increases a woman's risk of developing cancer. For this reason, it's important for women with LCIS to have a physical exam 2 or 3 times a year, as well as a mammogram every year
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): This is a precancerous condition also called Stage 0 breast cancer. It is noninvasive and is confined to the ducts. Nearly 100% of women with cancer at this stage can be cured. The best way to detect DCIS is with a mammogram
Infiltrating (invasive) ductal carcinoma (IDC): This cancer starts in a milk duct, breaks through the wall of the duct, and invades the fatty tissue of the breast. From there, it can spread to other parts of the body. IDC is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for nearly 80% of cases
Infiltrating (invasive) lobular carcinoma (ILC): This cancer starts in the mammary, or milk, glands (lobules) and can spread to other parts of the body. About 10% of breast cancers are this type
Ovarian Cancer whispers, so listen carefully . . .
Watch for Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort:
Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion
Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
Ongoing unusual fatigue
Unexplained changes in bowel habits
If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, ask your doctor for a combination pelvic/rectal exam, CA-125 blood test, and trans-vaginal ultrasound
A Pap Test WILL NOT detect ovarian cancer
Cleaning for a Reason
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.
For more information, please visit: www.cleaningforareason.org
Locks of Love
West Palm Beach, FL - Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 with medical hair loss. These custom-fitted hair prosthetics are provided free of charge or on a sliding scale to children whose families meet the Locks of Love Board of Directors guidelines.
Donors provide the hair, volunteers staff the office, and the manufacturer hand-assembles each piece, which requires approximately four months.
The organization, which began in 1997, has helped over 1000 children since its first year of operation. Thousands of bundles of donated hair arrive from around the country as a result of national publicity Locks of Love received in newspapers, magazines and television programs. West Palm Beach, Fla.- Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 with medical hair loss. These custom-fitted hair prosthetics are provided free of charge or on a sliding scale to children whose families meet the Locks of Love Board of Directors guidelines.
The donations continue to pour in. Most donors mail a note and a photo with their bundle of hair. Children comprise over 80 percent of the donors, making this a charity where children have the opportunity to help other children.
Locks of Love will accept 10" minimum hair length (tip to tip), not wigs, falls, or synthetic hair Please bundle hair in ponytail or braid.
Hair needs to be clean, dry, placed in a plastic bag, then padded envelope.
Locks of Love needs hair from men and women, young and old, all colors and races.
Hair may be colored or permed, but not bleached or chemically damaged (if unsure, ask your stylist).
Hair swept off the floor is not usable.
Hair cut years ago is usable if it has been stored in a ponytail or braid.
Hair that is short, gray, or unsuitable for children will be separated from the ponytails and sold at fair market value to offset the cost of manufacturing.
You may pull curly hair straight to measure the minimum 10".
The majority of all hair donated comes from children who wish to help other children.
Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails for donation.
Please note: Anyone can cut your hair as long as the above guidelines are followed.
Phone: (561) 833-7332
Fax: (561) 833-7962
Toll Free Information Line: (888) 896-1588
Locks of Love
234 Southern Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
