Dr. Grace Makari-Judson of Suffield chairs the Baystate Health Breast Network. She co-directs the Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research and is a medical oncologist devoted to breast cancer prevention and treatment at the Baystate Regional Cancer Program in Springfield. She provides this message for October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
1. Know your family history- both mother’s side and father’s side. Genetic testing is considered in families where there is suspicion for hereditary cancer. Individuals may be considered for preventative treatments or to start screening at a younger age.
2. Screening mammography is important. Each woman should discuss when to start screening, how often to have a mammogram, and when to stop based on their personal risk, general health and values. Some women may wish to start at age 40 and continue yearly, while others would have mammography every other year starting at age 50. I endorse shared decision making based on a woman’s overall risk.
3. Breast Cancer prognosis is steadily improving. Each year over the past decade, we have seen breast cancer survival rates go up. Our focus is on enhancing treatments and maintaining an excellent prognosis with less invasive approaches.
4. Ask about Clinical Trials. Thanks to the individuals who have participated in clinical trials, we have greatly expanded our knowledge and the treatments we have to offer. It is not enough to cure breast cancer; I would like to see us prevent it altogether.
5. Healthy Lifestyles matter. Don’t smoke, alcohol in moderation, follow a healthful diet and try to get two to three hours of exercise each week. If we promote healthy lifestyles, we could potentially prevent up to a third of breast cancers.
Dr. Makari-Judson is the daughter of Odette Makari of Suffield by the River and the late Dr. Jack Makari, a cancer immunologist. At Suffield by the River there is a garden in his memory.