A firsthand account: Highlighting Virginia resources during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—and early detection is key.

Breast cancer affects many families throughout the country, as well as in Virginia. In 2021 alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 270,000 new breast cancer cases.

 While the number may seem daunting, there’s help on the horizon. Here at Dogwood, we want to give you the information you need for prevention and treatment this month and throughout the year.

Prevention and Early Detection

It’s important to stay in touch with your body, and for many women, this means performing regular checks for any lumps or masses in the breast. 

By performing regular self-breast checks, it can be easier to detect any issues early, in order to make treatment easier and more successful. 

Just this year, while performing one of these checks, I found a lump that wasn’t there before. I figured that since I was young it was probably fine, and I left it alone for months. It wasn’t until I went for my annual well woman’s exam that the doctor told me about the dangers of leaving a lump (especially one that grew to the size mine did) alone without treatment. 

A few months later, I got it biopsied in a quick procedure that took only a few minutes. I got my results in only two days, and while it was a tumor, it was still benign thanks to this early detection. If I wouldn’t have gotten it removed a few months later, however, my benign tumor could have turned cancerous. 

That is what makes early detection and treatment so important. Thankfully, mine was cancer-free, but it’s always important to get any mass or lump checked out as soon as you detect it. If caught early, breast cancer can be easily and effectively treated to prevent any further complications.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website provides information on how to perform self-breast checks. If you are a woman over 45, be sure to get your yearly mammogram as well. 

Treatment

If you or anyone you know may be at risk, Virginia has many reputable treatment centers. Personally, I was treated for my condition at Sentara Williamsburg Comprehensive Breast Center and the Sentara McLeskey Comprehensive Breast Center in Norfolk. Both of these locations had very helpful and friendly staff who were attentive and answered all of my questions. 

The commonwealth has many esteemed breast cancer specialty centers. We’ve sourced some of the top-rated ones throughout Virginia.  

University of Virginia Medical Center

The University of Virginia’s Breast Cancer Center is one of the premier specialists in research and innovation. This hospital is dedicated to using and engineering the latest technology for diagnosis and treatment. UVA Medical Center also has a program for patients who have a high-risk disposition of breast cancer. This program helps patients with genetic testing, counseling, and testing to help lower the risk of breast cancer. For more information about their work, visit UVA’s Breast Cancer Center’s website. 

VCU Medical Center

VCU’s Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of two hospitals recognized by the National Cancer Institute for dedication to research and treatment. This hospital also boasts the largest cancer center in the area, with award-winning doctors and specialists. For more information on this cancer center, check out their website.  

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital

Norfolk General Hospital has a Comprehensive Breast Center dedicated to providing elite treatment to their patients. This center is fully accredited by the National Accreditation Programs for Breast Centers thanks to its dedication to care and treatment. They are also part of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. These credentials make this hospital a pioneer in early imaging and diagnosis, which helps make treatment easier and more effective. To learn more, visit Sentara Norfolk General’s website. 

Inova Fairfax Hospital

Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Breast Cancer Program is a part of their larger Women’s Health ward. At Inova, patients have a broad range of diagnosis and treatment plans at their fingertips.The Breast Cancer Program follows patients through their entire journey, from diagnosis to treatment to survivor’s counseling programs. Considered Northern Virginia’s top resource for breast cancer, Inova is there for patients every step of the way. For more information about this program, please visit their website.