Monica Chavez One out of eight women will develop breast cancer—according to chair of medicine and oncology at UTRGV, Dr. Everardo Cobos. Early detection of breast cancer starts with a phone call.
Cobos said, “It may just be silently growing, and the woman may not even notice that it’s there. That which is why the mammogram is very important.”
Early detection methods for breast cancer have improved over the years. According to Cobos, while 15-percent of patients have hereditary disposition the other 85-percent develop sporadically due to carcinogens in the environment such as excess sugar, tobacco use, and stress combined with a weak immune system. He says breast cancer may not cause any symptoms at all and he warns if a lump is visible, it may be a sign the cancer is advanced. Cobos also adds that the risk of breast cancer depends on family history.
“So, the mammography starts anywhere between the ages of 40 and 50. In high-risk women, for example, there’s a family history of the grandmother or in an had it or the mother had it. …We start screening those women earlier than the age of 40.”, Said Cobos.
Cobos tells us a healthy immune system is able to attack early cancer cells and destroy them.
“There are chemicals in the vegetables that protect us against cancer, same thing with fruits. Meat in moderation, don’t smoke, you know, drink only in moderation exercise. Exercise stimulates our immune system, okay? And then obesity also harms our immune system. So, it’s all a package.”
School of medicine associate professor of OB-GYN Dr. Denise de Los Santos says mammogram screenings in Texas cost between 195 to 331 dollars and most health insurance plans cover it but there are also low-cost options such as the U.T.R.G.V clinic.
“Many imaging centers offer mammograms at reduced rates. So, they have a large, discounted price just in honor of breast cancer awareness month.”, Said santos.
University recreation will host three breast cancer awareness Zumba dance parties and wellness expos from October 17 to 19 on all U.T.R.G.V campuses. The event is open to the UTRGV community and the public. U.R.E.C program coordinator Gilberto Lopez says medical students will be providing free screenings at the events
“…They’re going to be checking for heart murmurs. They’re going to be checking blood sugar. They’re going to be checking blood pressure and other wellness screenings.”, Said Lopez.
For more information about low-cost mammography screenings visit goodrx.com, for UTRGV women’s health services, visit uthealthrgv.org
