Self-administered breast exams never a bad idea

Recent news calling into question the value of breast self exams may have some women deciding to forego the monthly exam. However, while the exams may not always help, they certainly donÂ’t hurt, said local OB/GYN Dr. Kollier Hinkle.

Hinkle, an assistant professor at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, said he always encourages women to perform the self exam once a month.

“The problem with breast self exams is intuitively it makes a lot of sense,” Hinkle said.

However, there is inconclusive data about whether women who do the breast self exam have a better chance of finding cancer than women who do not. Beginning in the early 1980s, the American Cancer Society recommended women over 20 do a breast self exam every month. Five years ago, however, the society dropped that recommendation, describing the self exam as optional and noting women should report to their physician if they find changes in their breasts.

However, promoting knowledge of oneÂ’s body is always beneficial, Hinkle said, and noting any changes in the body is a pro-active approach to preventing or detecting cancer.

“We can’t say definitively that it helps, but I think most people would say it doesn’t hurt and it has the potential to help,” Hinkle said.

Hinkle also said promoting womenÂ’s health has larger implications than just the health of individual women; women often determine the type of health care and preventative measures applied to their families, including children and spouses. Therefore, anything to keep women healthy may have larger effects.

Tips to performing a self breast exam:

WomenÂ’s breasts change over time and also in relation to menstrual cycles, so being familiar with changes can help a woman determine if something is abnormal.

Pick a regular time each month to perform an exam, Hinkle said, whether itÂ’s the first day of every month, the first Sunday of every month, the first Sunday after each menstrual cycle or whatever is easy to remember.

Use pressure from fingertips to cover the entire area of the breast, and donÂ’t miss any of the tissue.

Remember not only to exam each breast but also the armpit region and around the collarbone, since these areas have lymph nodes that can be related to early detection of breast cancer. Also examine the nipples for changes.

It can be helpful to do exams while sitting up as well as when lying down, Hinkle said, because some changes may be apparent in one position but not the other.

Visually examine the breasts as well, looking for changes in the skin like sores, skin color changes or dimpling of the skin.

Talk to a health care provider about learning how to do an exam properly. That person can help refine techniques like how much pressure to apply, or that person can perform breast exams for you.

Expansion of endoscopy suite set

Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital will begin a $1.7 million expansion of its endoscopy suite in September that is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.

Endoscopy is a procedure that lets physicians examine the inside of the gastrointestinal track and the pulmonary system, and can be used to screen for lung and colon cancers. This project includes a 2,515-square-foot expansion and renovation project, which will entail a new endoscopy suite and renovations to existing ones. The new space is expected to shorten the wait times for routine colorectal cancer screenings from about three months to a few weeks.

Marx named to THSA

Edward Marx, chief information officer for Texas Health Resources, is one of 11 to be named to the Texas Health Services Authority and to serve on the authority until June 15, 2009.

The authority is a public-private corporation charged by the Texas Legislature to improve patient safety and quality of care. Those named to the authority were chosen from across the state and different areas of the health care community, and they will coordinate the development of a voluntary, secure electronic health information infrastructure for the state.

Ziesmann becomes COO

Tom Ziesmann has been named the chief operating officer for Texas Health Resources Organization for Physicians, which offers opportunities for physician alignment in several areas.

Ziesmann was formerly senior vice president of the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati. In his new role he will oversee strategic planning, operations, financial affairs, information systems and quality for the organization.

Send health care news to ebassett@bizpress.net