BREAST CANCERBREAST CANCER

Oatley Girls Night InOatley Girls Night In

November 2011November 2011

DefinitionDefinition

• The uncontrolled growth of The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells originating from the abnormal cells originating from the breast.breast.

• Breast anatomy is made of milk Breast anatomy is made of milk ducts, lobules, fatty tissue, and the ducts, lobules, fatty tissue, and the nipple.nipple.

• Cancer can be found in these sites.Cancer can be found in these sites.

• Breast cancer is the most common Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Australiacancer in women in Australia

• It is the most common cause of It is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in womencancer-related deaths in women

• 1 in 8 women will develop breast 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer by the age of 85 yearscancer by the age of 85 years

• 1:763 of breast cancers are in men1:763 of breast cancers are in men

Statistics: ( NBOCC 2008)Statistics: ( NBOCC 2008)

StatisticsStatistics

• In 2003 breast cancer accounted In 2003 breast cancer accounted for 29% of all cancers in womenfor 29% of all cancers in women

• Last 10 years there has been a 7% Last 10 years there has been a 7% increase in breast cancer but a increase in breast cancer but a 22% decrease in breast cancer 22% decrease in breast cancer deaths deaths

Numbers diagnosedNumbers diagnosed

• In 2010 approx 14,000 women In 2010 approx 14,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer and diagnosed with breast cancer and just over 100 menjust over 100 men

• 38 women diagnosed each day38 women diagnosed each day• Average age for women 60 years Average age for women 60 years

and 66 years for a manand 66 years for a man(Australian Institute of Health & (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare and NBOCC)Welfare and NBOCC)

AgesAges

• 13% women 20-44yrs13% women 20-44yrs

• 61% women 45-69yrs61% women 45-69yrs

• 26% women > 70yrs26% women > 70yrs

Risk factorsRisk factors

MajorMajor• Being femaleBeing female• Increased ageIncreased age• Previous history of breast cancerPrevious history of breast cancer• Family history of breast cancerFamily history of breast cancer• BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutationBRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation

Risk factors (cont)Risk factors (cont)

MinorMinor• Early onset of periods (before 12 yrs)Early onset of periods (before 12 yrs)• Late onset of menopause (after 55 yrs)Late onset of menopause (after 55 yrs)• No childrenNo children• First child after 30 yrs of ageFirst child after 30 yrs of age• HRT – hormone replacement therapyHRT – hormone replacement therapy• AlcoholAlcohol• Dietary fatDietary fat

Facts PhytoestrogensFacts Phytoestrogens

• Found in Soy productsFound in Soy products• May act like oestrogen when May act like oestrogen when

consumed. May act like a weak consumed. May act like a weak oestrogen and may also be an oestrogen and may also be an oestrogen blocker.oestrogen blocker.

• Scientific studies are contradictory Scientific studies are contradictory no clinical trials have been done.no clinical trials have been done.

Facts PhytoestrogensFacts Phytoestrogens

• Soy foods consumption in Soy foods consumption in moderation is recommended.moderation is recommended.

• Women with breast cancer to have Women with breast cancer to have soy in moderation but not increase soy in moderation but not increase any more into their dietany more into their diet

Facts StressFacts Stress

• No solid evidence stress is not a No solid evidence stress is not a risk factor.risk factor.

• 10 studies found no link. 10 studies found no link. • 2 studies found women with 2 studies found women with

significant stressful events eg loss significant stressful events eg loss of a husband etc were more at a of a husband etc were more at a riskrisk

Facts StressFacts Stress

• People under stress can increase People under stress can increase their risk due to adding smoking their risk due to adding smoking and drinking of alcohol.and drinking of alcohol.

• Increase the fat in their diet and Increase the fat in their diet and gain weight to add and increased gain weight to add and increased risk.risk.

SurvivalSurvival

Increase fromIncrease from

71.8% in 1982-1986 to71.8% in 1982-1986 to

87.8% in 1998-200487.8% in 1998-2004

In 2006 143,967 women alive who In 2006 143,967 women alive who have had breast cancer in the past have had breast cancer in the past 25 years 25 years (NBOCC, 2009)(NBOCC, 2009)

StatisticsStatistics

• Survival is measured by the Survival is measured by the amount of people alive 5 years amount of people alive 5 years after treatment.after treatment.

• High rate of surviving BC if High rate of surviving BC if diagnosed and treated early.diagnosed and treated early.

• Between 1998-2002 86% of early Between 1998-2002 86% of early BC survivors were still alive.BC survivors were still alive.

StatisticsStatistics

• This includes people with This includes people with secondary breast cancer.secondary breast cancer.

• Women with small BC’s of 10mm or Women with small BC’s of 10mm or less in diameter the 5 year survival less in diameter the 5 year survival is almost as high as for women is almost as high as for women without BC.without BC.

• Palpable lumps–painful, painlessPalpable lumps–painful, painless• Distorted breast size or shapeDistorted breast size or shape• Change in colour / inflammationChange in colour / inflammation• Thickening of breastsThickening of breasts• Inverted / retracted nippleInverted / retracted nipple• Nipple dischargeNipple discharge• Skin dimpling or puckeringSkin dimpling or puckering• Scaling of the skinScaling of the skin

Things to Look For:Things to Look For:

ScreeningScreening

• Breast self-examination (BSE) - monthlyBreast self-examination (BSE) - monthly

• Clinical breast examination – annual Clinical breast examination – annual check with GPcheck with GP

• Mammography/Ultrasound – usually Mammography/Ultrasound – usually every 2 yearsevery 2 years

MammographyMammography

Breast Self Examination

• Check monthly• Stand before a mirror • Look at breasts for anything abnormal• Place hands on hips • Push shoulders back and breasts

forward, then shoulders forward and flex chest muscles

• Raise hands over / behind head.• Check for any changes

Breast Self ExaminationBreast Self Examination

• Place left hand behind head• With right hand, use sensitive pads

of fingers• 1st – press lightly feeling surface of

breast• 2nd – press firmly feeling for anything

deeper in breast• Use small, circular motions, checking

the whole breast

Breast Self ExaminationBreast Self Examination

• Check whole breast –including above breast to collarbone and out to armpit, beneath breast, and nipple.

• Gently check nipple and areola for any discharge or scaling

• Repeat procedure for right breast.• Repeat procedure lying down.

Why attend to breast Why attend to breast health?health?

• The better you know your breasts, the The better you know your breasts, the earlier you may pick up changes.earlier you may pick up changes.

• Often easier to treat when cancer is Often easier to treat when cancer is small.small.

• Early detection usually means more Early detection usually means more options available for successful options available for successful treatment and increase in survival.treatment and increase in survival.

What next...What next...

• Get to know your breasts and Get to know your breasts and what’s normal for you.what’s normal for you.

• If you notice breast changes or find If you notice breast changes or find a lump – make an appointment a lump – make an appointment with your GP, even if recent with your GP, even if recent screening tests were normal.screening tests were normal.

• If in doubt – get it checked!If in doubt – get it checked!

Helping a FriendHelping a Friend

• Deal with your own feelings firstDeal with your own feelings first• Be available to listenBe available to listen• Let her talk about anythingLet her talk about anything• Cry and laugh with herCry and laugh with her• Don’t worry that you won’t always Don’t worry that you won’t always

know what to sayknow what to say• Respect there will be times when she Respect there will be times when she

doesn’t want to talkdoesn’t want to talk

Helping a FriendHelping a Friend (cont..) (cont..)

• Offer to help – practical waysOffer to help – practical ways• Phone her / text herPhone her / text her• Visit – but call firstVisit – but call first• Stay in touch throughout her journey Stay in touch throughout her journey

– letters, cards, emails– letters, cards, emails• Help her to have some fun by doing Help her to have some fun by doing

‘normal’ things – coffee, walk, ‘normal’ things – coffee, walk, movie, dinnermovie, dinner

Things That Won’t HelpThings That Won’t Help

• Don’t tell her any horror stories Don’t tell her any horror stories about other peopleabout other people

• Don’t tell her about the latest cure / Don’t tell her about the latest cure / treatment you’ve heardtreatment you’ve heard

• Don’t burden her with your own Don’t burden her with your own fears and worriesfears and worries

• Don’t tell her what to doDon’t tell her what to do• Don’t give up on herDon’t give up on her