Early detection helps breast cancer treatment

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wishes to remind residents about the importance of preventative screening related to breast cancer.

Yvonne Atwood, director of personal health and disease prevention at the tri-county health department, said mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early. She added that early detection makes it easier for medical professionals to treat. She said there are different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people have no symptoms at all.

Symptoms can include any change in the size or the shape of the breast; pain in any area of the breast; discharge other than breast milk; and a new lump in the breast or underarm.

October is breast cancer-awareness month.