Spectrum News 1: Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which makes it a great month to remember to advocate for yourself and learn about the risks of breast cancer.

Natalie Jones, MD, breast and melanoma surgeon at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital and chair of the OhioHealth Breast Health Program, was interviewed by Spectrum News 1 anchor, Sophia Constantine, about the risks of breast cancer and what you can do to help decrease your risk.

“Things that increase risk are unhealthy diet choices, lack of exercise, obesity is certainly a problem in addition to family history and genetics,” said Dr. Jones. 

The American Cancer Society estimates that around 10,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2019, and that around 1,700 women will die of breast care. So it’s important to make sure you are eating health, exercising, completing self-breast exams, and getting a yearly mammogram.

“Every woman should have a base line screening mammogram sometime between the ages of 35, and 40, and then starting at age 40 yearly mammograms are recommended,” Dr. Jones told Spectrum News 1.

Self-breast exams are suggested to be done every month. If anything unusual is found while completing a self-exam Dr. Jones recommends patients immediately contact their primary care physician or OBGYN.

Dr. Jones said the most important thing to remember is for women to “be aware of their body and to make sure they are getting those regular screening mammograms and have that good relationship with their doctor.”

To find an OhioHealth mammography location near you click here.