www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 85 DR. JETER OFFERED FIVE TIPS: • MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT – Excess weight and obesity, especially after menopause, increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer and can worsen outcomes after a diagnosis at any age. • EAT A HEALTHY DIET - Focus on fiber-rich plants and reduce the amount of animal fat and processed foods you eat. • ELIMINATE OR SEVERELY LIMIT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION - Research has shown that two to three alcoholic beverages a day can increase the risk of breast cancer by as much as 20%. • KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY - If you are at high risk for breast cancer, you might consider taking preventive medications such as tamoxifen. • INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - Strive for at least 30 minutes every day. “Any activity that you enjoy that increases your heart rate is great,” Dr. Jeter said. There is no guarantee that any of these steps will prevent breast cancer, but Dr. Jeter said they are still every woman’s best bet – especially since opposing factors such as smoking and obesity have been proven to carry far more risk. “Everything in medicine is a risk versus a benefit,” she said. “And we’re doing the very best we can to offer more benefit than risk.” That risk, however, has been steadily rising in the past five decades. While the fight against all forms of cancer has made many strides, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said that breast cancer now accounts for approximately 30% of all reported cancer cases among women. And researchers at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, have been concerned for a long time at the alarming levels of breast cancer incidences in the United States over the past 52 years. For example, in 1970, there were 68,000 new breast cancer cases. In 1980, this number rose to 110,000 new cases, then rose by almost the same rate in 1990 to 150,000, then again in 2000 to 182,000 and in 2010 to 207,090. By 2014, the number of new breast cancer cases in women reached more than 232,000 – a 242% increase from 1970. Dr. Jeter is determined to reverse this trend – especially as new treatments become available during “a vulnerable, scary time in a patient’s life.” “They often look to me for not only clinical knowledge but for hope – and it's a privilege to be in that position,” she said. “Having a trusted ally who can help you navigate your personal history, family history, lifestyle modifications, medications and screening or diagnostic tests is invaluable. I am confident that the future holds even more promise for women dignosed with breast cancer. And I am excited to be a part of it.” For more information on Charleston Oncology and Dr. Ashley Jeter, visit charlestononcology.com. C H A R L E S T ON COU N T Y M E D I C A L S OC I E T Y HealthLinks Charleston is a proud partner of the Charleston County Medical Society. For more information on joining CCMS, contact Dana Holladay at [email protected].
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