Every woman who hears the words ‘breast cancer’ feels a sense of
fear. What is breast cancer and can you prevent it? Here are some
facts about breast cancer every woman should know…
**What Should I Know About Breast Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is the
second most common form of cancer in women after skin cancer.
While it is also possible for a man to get breast cancer women
are 100 times more likely to develop it than men.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in
women. Lung cancer is the leading cause. The chance of dying from
breast cancer is one in 33, but that number is decreasing as new
forms of treatment and early detection are being implemented.
There are several forms of breast cancer that occur in different
areas of the breast. Most breast cancers are treated with
radiation, chemotherapy or surgery. It depends on the type of
cancer, how far it has spread and where it is located which
treatment program is determined for any individual.
Great strides are taking place to treat and prevent breast
cancer. Women with a high risk should discuss the possible
preventive measures currently available with their doctor.
**Who is More Likely to Get It?
The American Cancer Society reports that 1 in 8 women in the US
will experience invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.
While every woman is at risk there are certain factors that
increase the likelihood a person may develop breast cancer. Not
having these risk factors does not mean you will not develop
cancer just as being at a high risk doesn’t mean you will develop
cancer.
Smoking, age and family history are the common factors that are
assessed when determining risk.
While smoking can be controlled, age and family history cannot.
The older you are the greater the risk that you will develop
breast cancer – almost 8 out of 10 women diagnosed with breast
cancer are over 50. If women in your family developed breast
cancer you are also at an increased risk.
Certain genetic changes increase the risk to as high as 80% that
a woman will develop the cancer. Testing for these changes can
help a woman and her doctor discuss preventative measures that
might be taken.
Caucasian women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer
but African-American women more often die from the disease.
Asians, Hispanics and American Indian women are less likely to
get it.
Starting your period (menstruation) before age 12 or going
through menopause after 55 slightly increases the risk.
Having taken the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol), which some women
were given in the belief it would prevent them from losing a
baby, slightly increases the risk while radiation to the chest
earlier in life greatly increases the risk.
Being overweight, use of alcohol, long term use of HRT (hormone
replacement therapy) and not having children have all been linked
to an increased risk of breast cancer. Using birth control pills
may increase the risk and should be discussed with your doctor.
On the other hand exercise, healthy eating (especially reducing
the intake of alcohol and red meats) or having had children early
in life and breastfeeding for as long as 1 ½ -2 years have been
linked to a REDUCED risk of developing breast cancer.
**What Can I Do to Reduce the Risk?
Since early detection is so important it is vital that women
learn how to detect lumps in their breasts and understand what
precautions must be taken. Those who are more at risk of
developing cancer should take extra steps to detect cancer as
early as possible since the lumps found by self-examination are
much farther progressed than those found by other forms of
detection.
While a doctor or nurse can show you how to perform a BSE (breast
self-exam) the American Cancer Society still recommends women in
their 20’s and 30’s should have a clinical exam every three years
and once a year after 40. After 40 most women should also have
regular mammograms to catch cancers earlier.
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Changes in the breast including dimpling, swelling, discharges
other than milk or any other change to the nipple should be
brought to the attention of a doctor. While most of changes can
be linked to non-cancerous causes catching the cancer early is
definitely the most important factor in surviving breast cancer.
See Article: Skin Cancer-Myths & Facts