Breast Cancer Awareness

This year the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign celebrates 20 years of educating women about breast cancer, especially the importance of detecting the disease in its earliest stages through screening mammography, clinical breast examination, and for women 20 years of age and older, breast self-examination. 

Thankfully, the National Cancer Institute has recently reported a decline in the number of breast cancer deaths, most likely due to national screening programs and improved treatment options. But challenges remain. All women are vulnerable to the disease, especially as they grow older. It is the most common cancer in women, and falls second to lung cancer as a leading cause of cancer deaths. An estimated 41,110 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year. 

The third Friday in October each year is National Mammography Day, first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. On this day, or throughout the month, radiologists provide discounted or free screening mammograms. In 2003, more than 680 American College of Radiology (ACR) accredited facilities took part. In 2004, National Mammography Day will be celebrated on October 15th. Valley Medical Group participates each year, and provides free screening mammograms to women who do not have insurance coverage for mammograms.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) continues to recommend that women 40 and older receive screening mammograms every 1 to 2 years. And the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued new guidelines that mirror those of the NCI. The HHS also confirms that there is sufficient evidence to show that screening mammography reduces deaths from breast cancer. 

Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save your life. When the disease is discovered early, you have more treatment options and a better chance for long-term recovery. In fact, when breast cancer is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, the five-year survival rate is 95 percent.
Most breast lumps aren't cancerous. Yet the most common sign of breast cancer for both men and women is a lump or thickening in the breast. Often, the lump is painless. Other signs of breast cancer include:

• A spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple
• Retraction or indentation of your nipple 
• A change in the size or contours of your breast
• Any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast 
• Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange 

A number of factors other than breast cancer can cause your breasts to change in size or feel in addition to the natural changes that occur during pregnancy and your menstrual cycle.

Breast cancer “risk factors”

To predict when and in whom breast cancer will strike, scientists must often think like detectives, looking for clues to signal which women may be more likely than others to develop the disease. These clues are called “risk factors”. It’s important to note, however, that this is not an exact science and that such predictions are not definite. Having one or two of these risk factors doesn’t mean a woman will develop breast cancer (seven out of ten breast cancers occur in women with none of the important risk factors, other than simply being a woman). But knowing her personal risk factor profile and understanding what it means will help her and her practitioner plan a course of action that may reduce her chances of ever getting the disease or, at least, to detect it in its earliest, most treatable stages.

The most common risk factors:

• Age. The risk of breast cancer increases, as a woman grows older. About 82 percent of breast cancers occur in women age 50 and older. The risk is especially high for women age 60 and older. 
• Personal History. Women who have had breast cancer and women with a history of breast disease (not cancer, but a condition that may predispose them to cancer) may develop it again.
• Family History. The risk of getting breast cancer increases for a woman whose mother, sister, daughter, or two or more close relatives have had the disease. It is important to know how old they were at the time they were diagnosed.
• The Breast Cancer Genes. Some individuals, both women and men, may be born with an “alteration” (or change) in one of two genes that are important for regulating breast cell growth.
• Diet. Diets high in saturated or hydrogenated fats, low in fiber and fresh fruits and vegetables, and high in alcohol appear to contribute having a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Things you can do to reduce your Risk:

• Monthly self breast exam. Make it a habit to check your breasts monthly to detect any changes. 
• Get a mammogram beginning at the recommended age. Follow recommendations for screening mammograms, starting at age 40
• Diet. Eat a low fat, high fiber diet; rich in fruit and vegetables.
• Limit alcohol. Evidence suggests that a small increase in risk exists for women who average two or more drinks per day (beer, wine, and distilled liquor).
• Stay active. The U.S. Surgeon General recently reported that you can help prevent many health problems by engaging in a moderate amount of physical activity (such as taking a brisk, 30-minute walk) on most days of the week. Strive to maintain the body weight recommended by a health professional, since excess fat may stimulate estrogen production.
• Don’t smoke. Although smoking doesn’t cause breast cancer, it can increase the chance of blood clots, heart disease, and other cancers that may spread to the breast.

Early Detection

Is mammography reliable?

In 1992, the U.S. Congress passed the Mammography Quality Standards Act to ensure that mammography performed at more than 10,000 facilities throughout the country is of high quality and is reliable. To lawfully perform mammography, each facility must prominently display a certificate issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This certificate serves as evidence that the facility meets quality standards. Valley Medical Group is fully accredited for mammography. 
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in America. Mammography screening remains the best available method to detect breast cancer early. However, no medical test is always 100 percent accurate, and mammography is no exception. Research is under way to improve the technology to lead to better accuracy and to create new technologies.

Remember, get regular screening, perform monthly self-breast exams, and reduce the controllable risk factors. Talk to your practitioner about the best screening schedule for your individual needs. Valley Medical Group has mammography services available at our Amherst Medical Center and Northampton Health Center.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: BREAST CANCER FACT SHEETS

Know the Facts About Your Risk: http://www.nbcam.org/pdf/2004/page%204-5.pdf

Q & A’s About Mammography: http://www.nbcam.org/pdf/2004/page%207-8.pdf