October is here which means everything can be flavored with pumpkin spice. But you will probably notice more pink decorations than orange. That’s because since 1985, the American Cancer Society has devoted this month to raising awareness about the importance of mammography to identify breast cancer as early as possible. The use of the pink ribbon started in 1991, and since then, many organizations worldwide will don this color in October.
While pink may not be your color, the reason behind the awareness will likely affect your family. One in eight women will be diagnosed with some form of breast cancer. Research is allowing us to find tumors so small that more aggressive therapies might not even be necessary.
Delving into our DNA, our unique genetic “recipe”, allows us to identify women AND men who might be ab a higher risk for developing breast or other types of cancer. But what is even more exciting is that we can also study the DNA of the cancer cells. This allows us to have an advantage and attack these tumors like never before. Tailoring treatment on such a specific level has never before been available.
Mammogram is the BEST screening test for early stage breast cancers. Of course, it isn’t perfect. I have experienced many situations where the “Cancer was missed”. Yes. It happens. But we can’t throw our hands up and surrender. New technologies are making mammograms more accurate and more comfortable (we squeeze because we care).
Let’s embrace the spirit of mammogram awareness. Encourage the women in your life to get screened. Continue to support efforts to improve screening and treatment. Wearing pink in optional-but staying vigilant about the health of the women we love is NOT.
Magnolia Breast Center serves as the first comprehensive breast health program in Southwest Florida.
Sharla Gayle Patterson, MD, MBA
Board Certified Breast Surgical Oncologist
Sharla Gayle Patterson is a fellowship trained breast surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is the only surgeon in South West Florida certified by the American Society of Breast Surgeons in both ultrasound and stereotactic guided breast biopsies. For more than a decade, she has worked diligently to educate the world around her about what can be done to decrease a person’s risk for breast cancer. Magnolia Breast Center serves as the first comprehensive breast health program in Southwest Florida. Her dedication to providing the highest level of surgical care is manifest in her successful certification in oncoplastic breast surgery by the worldwide known School of Oncoplastic Surgery. Her passion does not end with surgery, as many of her patients will attest – she continues to address the importance of survivorship and has built the area’s first and only multidisciplinary breast cancer survivorship clinic.
At home, Dr. Patterson enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters. Glitter, glue, and grit make up her secret recipe for family harmony.
MAGNOLIA Breast Center
3530 Kraft Rd, Suite 202, Naples, FL 34105
239.758.PINK (7465)
magnoliabc.com