Pink Prescriptions - October 2025
Breast Cancer Awareness: Know Your Risks • Detect Early • Reduce Symptoms
October 2025 Issue — Pink Prescriptions
Breast Cancer Awareness
Know Your Risks • Detect Early • Reduce Symptoms
As nearly everyone knows, October is breast cancer awareness month, which simply means to educate yourself in regard to your own breast health by learning everything you can in order to reduce symptoms, know your risks, detect early, understand the importance of mammograms, and know when to seek medical attention. The absolute best defense against breast cancer is early detection, which means be aware—know your body, and do not ignore mammograms or symptoms. There are great strides being made every day in fighting and
beating breast cancer, but your awareness and actions are the largest part of the equation for success. Because of this, we went to the experts to ask some questions we had, and it’s a perfect start to becoming more aware!
J. Eric Turner, M.D | Beaufort Memorial Oncology Specialists
My mother had breast cancer at 36 years old.
When should I begin getting mammograms?
Generally, if a woman is at average risk for breast cancer, it is recommended that she begin getting mammograms at age 40.
However, women younger than 40 with certain risk factors, like having a family history of breast cancer such as in this case, are encouraged to begin getting screening mammograms younger than 40. Genetics, family history, and other risk factors (or any physical symptoms, such as breast changes or a new lump) may prompt your primary care or women’s health provider to recommend mammograms at a younger age.
Knowing your family history of breast cancer is important. Women should discuss that history with their healthcare provider to determine when they need to begin getting mammograms. Additionally, depending on certain risk factors, you may also be a candidate for breast MRI screening along with mammogram screening. You may also want to talk to your healthcare provider about genetic testing for cancer to determine if you are a candidate.
There seems to be more younger women (under the age of 40) being diagnosed with breast cancer. What symptoms should I look for if I’m not getting regular mammograms?
Performing a breast self-examination on a monthly basis is an important way to bring your attention to any changes in your breasts that may be an indicator of breast cancer.
While standing, gently press each breast with your fingertips in a circular pattern. Begin in the middle of the breast and feel for any lumps, thickened skin or any changes that seem unusual. Raise your arms and repeat.
While laying down, use your opposite hand to press your fingertips into your breast in a circular pattern, covering the entire breast and armpit. Squeeze the nipples to detect any discharge or abnormalities.
A self-examination can help you know what is normal for your body and, therefore, make it easier to detect any changes to your breasts.
Here are a few quick symptoms to watch out for while performing
these self-examinations:
• Thickened skin
• Dimples or indentation
• Crust on the nipple
• Redness or heat
• Nipple discharge
• Sores
• Hard lumps
• Sunken nipple
• Unexpected size change
J. Eric Turner, M.D., is a board-certified, fellowship-trained medical oncologist with Beaufort Memorial Oncology Specialists. He treats patients with a wide variety of cancers at the Keyserling Cancer Center in Beaufort, employing therapies such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. 843-522-7350; 989 Ribaut Rd #310, Beaufort, SC
By Hollie Udvornocky, FNTP | Bluffton Thermal Imaging
What is thermal imaging, and why should I consider having
a thermal breast scan done?
Thermal Imaging is a safe, non-invasive way to monitor your health and detect potential concerns early, often before symptoms appear. By measuring subtle heat patterns, thermography can reveal how your body is directing its healing energy and may highlight changes in breast tissue and other areas before they are visible through traditional methods. If you have a family history of breast cancer, elevated concerns about breast health, or simply wish to take a proactive approach, thermography is a powerful tool to support your wellness journey for both breast health, as well as whole body health.
Hollie Udvornocky, FNTP, CT is a holistic wellness leader whose own path of healing from chronic health challenges and trauma ignited her passion for helping others reclaim vitality. Based in Bluffton, SC, Hollie blends functional nutrition, digestive health, medical thermography, and energy-based practices to treat the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. 843-707-7033; 167C Bluffton Road, Bluffton
1 in 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer
in her lifetime. But there is hope.
When caught in its earliest, localized stages,
the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%.
Advances in early detection and treatment methods have
significantly increased breast cancer survival rates.1
1National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
By Rochelle Ringer, MD | Novant Health Breast Center,
a department of Hilton Head Medical Center
Breast Cancer runs in my family.
Should I get genetic testing? What are the benefits?
The answer is actually “maybe.” Deciding on whether to do genetic testing can be a complex decision, and the criteria for when insurance will cover the testing has drastically changed over the years. Factors that are used to determine if people should have testing include:
1. Which family member had cancer (mom vs great aunt, for example)
2. Ages when people were diagnosed
3. Other types of cancer in the family
(ovarian cancer can be linked to breast cancer)
4. How many people in the family had breast cancer among other factors. Additionally, the Ashkenazi Jewish population has a higher percentage of people with a BRCA mutation, so this is also important information when determining the need for genetic testing.
If a patient has a breast cancer gene, we often take care of her differently. Sometimes extra imaging beyond mammograms is needed. Sometimes women may consider surgery or medication to lower their risk of getting breast cancer. Also, if people have a genetic mutation, they are likely at an increased risk for other cancers that would need to be monitored. I always encourage patients to have the conversation surrounding genetic testing to see if it is the best option for them.
Are there any new technologies or treatments in the world of breast cancer that are making a difference in treatments/survival rates?
There are many new technologies and treatments that are constantly coming out, but one major thing I want to talk about is exercise. It’s free, and we can all do it! Increasingly, data has shown that exercise decreases breast cancer risk and improves survival for people who have had breast cancer. For many people, it can be difficult to find the motivation to exercise, but more and more we are finding it can be truly lifesaving, so get out there and move!
A bit of older technology, but something we are now able to offer many more women now is breast MRI. Have you heard of people having a normal mammogram and still having breast cancer? Mammogram is great and LITERALLY saves lives, but it’s not perfect, especially for women with dense breast tissue. An abbreviated Breast MRI is the same type of MRI we’ve had for decades, but with a shorter testing time. MRI can find cancers that mammograms can miss and has been shown to give us better/more accurate results than ultrasound. Unfortunately, the abbreviated MRI is not covered by insurance, but due to the decreased testing time, we are able to offer the test at a cost to patients that is comparable to a breast ultrasound. Abbreviated MRI is offered to anyone who wants it. Just ask your doctor or call the scheduling department at Hilton Head Medical Center to ask about scheduling.
Dr. Rochelle Ringer is a board-certified surgical oncologist with clinical interests in benign and malignant breast disease, breast cancer genetics, breast cancer surgical management, and management of patients at high risk for breast cancer. Dr. Ringer is accepting new patients, and no referral is required. Call (843) 836-1600 to schedule an appointment.
Lowering Your Risk
Many risk factors for breast cancer are beyond your control, like being born female and getting older. But other risk factors can be changed. Making these changes may lower your chance of getting breast cancer.
There are several things all women can do to lower the risk of developing breast cancer.
Get to and Stay at a Healthy Weight: Both increased body weight and weight gain as an adult are linked with a higher risk of breast cancer after menopause.
Be Physically Active: Many studies have shown that moderate to vigorous physical activity is linked with lower breast cancer risk, so it’s important to get regular physical activity.The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these), preferably spread throughout the week.
Avoid or limit alcohol: Alcohol increases risk of breast cancer. Even drinking small amounts of alcohol has been linked with an increase in risk. It is best not to drink alcohol at all. For women who do drink, they should have no more than 1 alcoholic drink a day. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (hard liquor).2
2American Cancer Society