Page 122 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2018

HEALTHY LIVING ask the doctor BREAST
CANCER
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photo courtesy of South Mississippi Surgeons
In honor of breast cancer awareness month, we joined up with Dr. John Bailey of South Mississippi Surgeons to answer some of the most asked questions about breast cancer.
Dr. Bailey is a Board Certified General Surgeon who has been a part of South Mississippi Surgeons since 1996. Dr. Bailey serves as director of the Singing River Hospital Vascular Lab, is certified in Breast Ultrasound and Stereotactic Breast Procedures by the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and serves as medical director of South Mississippi Breast Center.
Who is affected by breast cancer?
Breast cancer will be diagnosed in 1 out of 8 American women. Male breast cancer does occur as well. Out of every 100 breast cancer cases one will be in
a male.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a common term for a cancerous (malignant) tumor that starts in the cells that line the ducts and/or lobes of the breast. Breast cancer as a disease presents in many different ways and patient symptoms may vary widely.
What causes breast cancer?
Breast cancer’s causes are not
exactly clear. Studies have identified numerous risk factors for breast cancer in women, including hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors that may increase the risk of the disease. Specific factors include:
• Increasing age
• Personal history of breast cancer
• Early menstruation
• Late menopause
• A first pregnancy after age 30 or no
prior pregnancies
• Use of oral contraceptives
• Family history of breast cancer
• Presence of certain inherited genetic changes
• History of radiation therapy to the chest
• Long-term use of combined hormone therapy
• Alcohol use
• Obesity after menopause
It’s unclear why some people who have no risk factors develop cancer, while others with risk factors never do.
When should I begin screening for breast cancer?
The American Cancer Society recommends the following early- detection screenings for women at average risk for breast cancer:
• Optional mammograms beginning at age 40
• Annual mammograms for women ages 45 to 54
• Mammograms every two years for women 55 and older, unless they choose to stick with yearly screenings
• MRIs and mammograms for some women at high risk of breast cancer
Screening mammography is an area that is evolving and no longer one size fits all. When to start and
John D. Bailey, M.D., F.A.C.S
MEDICAL DEGREE
M.D., University of Alabama School of Medicine Birmingham, AL
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons American Board of Surgery
American Society of Breast Surgeons
- Stereotactic Breast Procedures
- Breast Ultrasound
National Board of Medical Examiners *Investigator with Alliance and SWOG for
Clinical Research
*Liaison for American College of Surgeons
Commission on Cancer at SRHS
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Breast Disease/Breast Cancer
- Breast Biopsy with Ultrasound - Breast Ultrasound
- Lumpectomy & Mastectomy
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy - Port Placement for Chemo
Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Hernia Repair
Skin Cancer and Benign Lesions Thyroid Surgery
122 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • October 2018
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