Breast Health
Mammogram, Nutrition, & Lactation Assistance Services in Syracuse, NY
About one in eight women will develop breast cancer over the course of their life. This is why it is so important for women to practice good breast health. A healthy diet, exercise, and performing regular self-breast exams can help you achieve good breast health. Bring any lumps, differences, or irregularities to your doctor’s attention as soon as possible. When caught early through comprehensive mammogram imaging, the prognosis for breast cancer survival is rather good.
Aside from regular breast exams, there are other lifestyle changes you can incorporate into your life to keep your breasts healthy and lower your risk of breast cancer.
- Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
- Exercise – Aim to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five days a week.
- Minimize or Eliminate Alcohol
- Quit Smoking – The risk of breast cancer and other cancers are reduced by quitting.
- Eat a Balanced Diet – Vegetables such as broccoli and dark leafy greens have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
- Breastfeeding – Research has shown that mothers who breastfed their baby for the first six months had a lower chance of developing breast cancer.
Breast Cancer High Risk Program
All women are at risk for breast cancer. However, those with important risk factors may want to consider special options for screening and prevention through the Breast Cancer High Risk Program. You may be at an increased risk of developing breast cancer if you have ANY of the following:
- A strong family history of breast cancer
- A breast biopsy with pathology showing atypical cells, or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
- A known genetic mutation predisposing to breast cancer development (such as a BRCA mutation, or mutations associated with Li-Fraumeni or Cowden Syndrome)
- A history of chest radiation for treatment of lymphoma
The Breast Cancer High Risk Program provides:
- Comprehensive breast cancer risk assessment
- Genetic counseling and testing, if appropriate
- Regular clinical breast examinations
- Breast imaging, including sonography, mammography, tomosynthesis, and MRI
- Medical and surgical options for reducing breast cancer risk
- Get more information about this program at upstate.edu
Lactation Consulting and Assistance
Breastfeeding your baby is natural but doing it doesn’t always come easy. University OB/GYN Associates and Upstate Medical University are here to help. As International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), our providers have received extensive training and have helped many new mothers overcome the challenges of breastfeeding. We can help you successfully overcome latching difficulties, sore or injured nipples, low milk supply, and transitioning from breast to bottle.
Some benefits of breastfeeding include:
- Protects your baby against common illnesses and childhood diseases, including obesity
- Reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer
- Bonding time for mother and baby
If you have medical concerns or are considering breastfeeding and are having difficulties, meet with our medical specialists at University OB/GYN Associates today to get the best medical advice. We have several locations in Syracuse. You can contact one of our branches in Syracuse, New York, at (315) 464-2192 today to ask any questions or to schedule an appointment.
