Williamson Health specialists urged women to prioritize regular mammograms and breast awareness at an Oct. 21 panel focused on early detection and caregiving.
The Williamson Health Foundation hosted the Women's Health Panel Series event in partnership with The Jennings Circle at Williamson Health, first reported by the Williamson Herald. The panel featured a lunch by Radish Kitchen and two speakers: high-risk breast cancer specialist Peyton Lee and oncology program lead Amanda Whitman. Williamson Health serves patients across Williamson County, including the Spring Hill and Thompson's Station area.
Lee, who holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and works with Williamson Health patients at elevated risk of breast cancer, called mammography the "gold standard for breast cancer detection." She said advances in imaging technology have helped providers identify more cancers.
She also pushed back on misconceptions that discourage women from getting screened, including fears about radiation exposure and breast compression. Lee cautioned against relying on thermography as a substitute, saying it can produce false-positive results that lead to additional testing.
Rather than following a rigid self-exam schedule, Lee encouraged women to learn what looks and feels normal for their bodies. She said they should watch for changes such as dimpling, skin thickening, redness or differences in symmetry.
"Catching breast cancer early, it's so important," Lee said at the panel.
Lee noted that five-year survival rates are stronger for stage one breast cancer than for cancers that have spread to distant parts of the body. She listed family history, breast density, reproductive history, previous abnormal biopsies, alcohol consumption and hormone replacement therapy among the risk factors women should discuss with their providers.
Whitman, a breast health navigator, shifted the conversation to caregivers. She drew on her own family's experience after her mother's breast cancer diagnosis.
"Caregivers are the unsung hero," Whitman said, describing family members and friends who step into caregiving roles without preparation.
Caregivers need their own support, too. Whitman urged them to build networks, take breaks and seek professional help when needed. She stressed that caregivers should support loved ones without taking over medical decisions, letting patients keep autonomy during treatment.
Williamson Health offers oncology navigation, social workers, counseling and other services for patients and families managing a diagnosis, according to the Herald's report.
The Williamson Health Foundation's next event is its Men's Health Series on Thursday, Nov. 12, at The Back Nine Golf. Panelists Matthew Anderson, M.D., and Keith Granger, D.O., will discuss ways to stay active and maintain long-term joint and muscle health. Details on future events are available at WilliamsonHealth.org.
