Hospital brings awareness to breast cancer awareness month and early detection

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - October is breast cancer awareness month, and one local hospital is drawing attention to the significance of early detection.

According to the CDC breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women and president chief executive officer at WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital, says with the advances in early detection and treatment methods there has been a shift in survival rates.

According to recent research one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

This shocking statistic is why WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital is focused on educating the community on the importance of self-breast exams.

“We’ve made great progress in terms of treatment of breast cancer and if we get early detection, then there are multitudes of treatments that now we can do, I would say 25 years ago, that could not happen. As the breast cancer stages get higher, it gets much more difficult to treat. And so that is why we just have to always be bringing awareness of the importance of examining your own breasts,” said president chief executive officer at WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital, Karen Bowling.

Bowling says individuals should regularly be checking their breasts and getting an annual mammography.

“What we tell people is you know your breasts better than anybody else. Check it when you’re in the shower every day. Just think about how can I just incorporate that into my routine of what I need to do,” said Bowling.

If you are unsure on how to do a self-breast examination Bowling encourages everyone, not just women, to talk to their doctor.

“Men can get breast cancer, folks. If you don’t realize that, please realize it now. We do have patients where men have had a lump, they’ve thought nothing about it, and then when they finally get to the doctor, they’re in a later stage of cancer. So, men should actually check their breast tissue as well,” said Bowling.

If you have had cancer and looking for support Bowling suggest checking out WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospitals support groups.

To learn more information about Princeton Community Hospital WVU Medicine and their services click the link.