Montana VA Encourages Veterans to Be Breast Cancer Aware

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The Montana VA Health Care System (Montana VA) encourages Veterans to be proactive with breast health during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women after skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. 

Statistically, one in eight Montana women will develop breast cancer. In Montana, with a population of 1.1 million people, this represents around 62,500 Montana women. Both men and women can develop breast cancer. One in 100 men can develop breast cancer, or about 5,500 Montana men.   

“To the Veterans living with breast cancer and who are in treatment, your Montana VA team is here to support you throughout diagnosis, treatment and beyond,” said Duane Gill, Interim Executive Director. “You are not alone.”  

One key health component in addressing breast cancer is that Veterans be familiar with their bodies. Monthly self-exams can detect many of the symptoms of early breast cancer that can be seen on or felt in the breast. Any of the below symptoms should be communicated to a provider as soon as possible as early detection is important:  

1. Physical changes in the breast, such as warmth, swelling, pain or redness. This also includes other changes in appearance, such as dimples, puckers, bulges, ridges on the skin of the breast, changes in texture or changes in the size of either breast.  
2. Any change in the nipple, such as becoming inverted or if there is discharge, such as blood.  
3. Any presence of lumps in the breast or near the underarm. 

The overall five-year survival rate from breast cancer is nearly 90 percent. If the cancer is caught while it is still located only in the breast, the survival rate increases to nearly 99 percent.   

“This month, we encourage each Montanan to support those impacted by breast cancer and honor those we have lost by helping spread information on how to be proactive with breast cancer detection,” said Sue Calentine, Montana VA’s Women Veteran Program Manager. “Early detection is key and simple actions like monthly self-exams and mammograms save lives.” 

Breast care resources available through the VA include screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasound and MRI, genetic counseling and testing, cancer treatment, and more. VA recommends regular breast cancer screening for women who are 45 years of age and older or who have a family history of breast cancer. Veterans should talk with their VA primary care provider team about what is best for them and schedule their mammogram. Veterans can also contact Sue Calentine, Women Veteran Program Manager, at (406) 447-7343 with questions.  

Montana VA shares these screening tips for women: 

1. Women who have a family history of breast cancer should speak with their provider to understand how often to get screened.  
2. Patients should share any changes they notice in their breast health with their provider as early as possible.  
3. Women can reduce their risk of breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption and not smoking.  

Montana VA serves over 47,000 enrolled Veterans across Montana—an area roughly 147,000 square miles in size. Veterans are cared for by a staff of 1,400 at 18 sites of care across the state.  One third of Montana VA employees are Veterans.  

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Katie (Catherine) Beall, Public Affairs Officer

406-447-7303

catherine.beall@va.gov

Matthew Rosine, Public Affairs Specialist

(406) 417-9447

Matthew.Rosine@va.gov