Breast Cancer

What is this Disease?

• Second leading cause of cancer death in women

• Malignant (cancerous) tumor– Develops from cells in the breast

that are growing abnormally & out of control

– Some cells may break away and travel to other parts of the body (metastasis)

– When cancer comes back after successful treatment – it is called a recurrence.

Breast Cancer Starts Where?

• Ductal Carcinoma– Breast milk ducts– Most frequent location

• Lobular Carcinoma– Breast milk lobes

• Other breast tissues– Fatty & connective tissues– Lymph vessels

U.S. Statistics - 2002

• New cases – 203,500 (women)– 1,500 (men)

• Deaths per year – 39,600 (women)– 400 (men)

• 5-year localized survival rate - 96%• 5-year overall survival rate - 86

2006

• 212,920 women will be diagnosed this year

• 40,970 will die from breast cancer this year

• Over 2,000,000 women who have been treated for breast cancer

• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime

• 1 in 33 will die from breast cancer

Am I At Risk?

• Gender– 100 times more common in women that

men

• Age– Risk increases with age– 77% of women diagnosed are

>50 years of age.

• Race– White & African American – higher risk

• Family history– 1st degree relative double the risk– Most women diagnosed do not have a

family history

• Additional risk factors:– History of non-cancerous breast disease– Starting monthly periods before age 12– Starting menopause after age 55– > 5 years post menopausal estrogen

replacement therapy– Never having children – Having first child after age 30– Use of alcohol– Obesity, especially weight gain after

menopause– Physical inactivity

How Do I Know If I Have It?

• Detection of a new lump or mass• Generalized swelling of part of a breast• Skin irritation or dimpling• Nipple pain or retraction• Redness or scaliness of the nipple or

breast skin• Discharge other than breast milk

• All of these symptoms require

follow up

What Can And Should I Do?

• Prevention– Many risk factors are not modifiable

• Those related to age and hormones

– Lifestyle changes are modifiable• Maintaining a healthy diet and weight• Routine physical activity• Reduce the use of alcohol

– Knowledge and awareness• Being aware of your risk factors• Knowing your body• Early detection

Early Detection – Best Outcome

• Mammograms– Over age 40 – every year

• Clinical Breast Exam (CBE)– Age 20 – 39 – every 3 years– Over age 40 – every year

• Breast Self Exam (BSE)– Know how your breasts normally feel– Over age 20 – every month

• Talk to your doctor– If family history present

Are There Successful Treatments?

• Most successful when treated early• Treatment depends on many factors

– Progression of the disease– Patient choices

• Surgical interventions– Breast conservation surgery – lumpectomy– mastectomy

• Medical intervention– Chemotherapy– Hormone therapy– Radiation therapy

What Does The Future Hold?

• Risk factors– Further investigation re: lifestyle &

environmental factors

• Genetics– How to use gene testing

• Screening– New technology

• Hormone Therapy– Investigating use in prevention

• Chemotherapy– New drugs and drug combinations

How Does Diagnosis Impact Lifestyle?

• Social– Changes in appearance and activity

tolerance

• Physical– Pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties

• Psychological– Fear of recurrence, guilt, depression– Impact on loved ones– Financial concerns

• Spiritual

Who Can Help?

• Support from family & friends

• American Cancer Society– Cancer Survivors Network

• www.acscsn.org• 1-877-333-HOPE

• Links for Life– Support group

• www.linksforlife.org• 661-322-5601

Who is “Links For Life”?

• Local Breast Cancer Organization– 2 Full & 1 Part time employees– Many, many volunteers

• Provides an organization to benefit person affected by breast cancer

• Challenges each women in Kern County to be aware of her breast health

• Educated the general public, teaching that optimum health and early detection saves lives

Links For Life – Lives are being Saved

• Raise funds for local programs– Pro-Am Golf Tournament & Gala– Paint the Town Pink (October

• Over $100,000 raised in 2005– Field over 4,000 phone calls from the public– Provide 240 wigs from our wig shop – Provide 20 Bras/Prosthesis – Arrange for needed tests for women under 40 who

are uninsured or underinsured• 440 mammograms• 240 ultrasounds• 45 needle biopsies

– Results of these tests:• 4 positive cancers detected

– 3 women under 40– 1 man

• Other services– Support group

• Encouragement, support, friendship, & information

– Seminars• Community education

– Library• Current reference books & videos

– Scholarships• Support our local nursing students

– Health fairs

Where Can I Receive More Info?

• American Cancer Society– 1-800-ACS-2345 www.cancer.org

• Links for Life– 661-322-5601 www.linksforlife.org

• National Cancer Institute– 1-800-4-cancer www.nci.nih.gov

• Susan G. Komen Foundation– 1-800-IM AWARE www.komen.org

• National Allicance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO)– 212-719-0154 www.nabco.org

• Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization– 1-800-221-2141 www.y-me.org