USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle October 4, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Breast Cancer Awareness Edition

1) No symptoms when the tumor is small or when it is first able to be felt by hand. 2) A lump or swelling in the armpit. 3) Change in contour or shape of the breast (i.e.Odimpling, texture change). 4) Spontaneous discharge (i.e. bloody or pink). Pain in the breast does not always indicate the presence or absence of cancer of the breast, but any persistent abnormality should be evaluated by a medical provider. A great way to check for these is by self breast exams at a minimum of once a month. A lot of people take this lightly but it can make a lifetime difference. Many breast abnormalities are found through self exams. The best method of detection is by mammogram especially for those over 40 years old. They may be recommended for some people under 40 - depending on risk

factors. If a suspicious lump is found, a biopsy or tissue sample is needed to further classify the lump. “We’re at risk for becoming complacent onboard because, generally speaking, we’re a younger and healthier population,” said Cmdr. Kevin Brown, the senior medical officer aboard Enterprise. “However, we must remain vigilant because breast cancer can occur in young, healthy people, including our shipmates. We must be dedicated to detecting breast cancer early and treating it aggressively.” Brown says he’s cared for many breast cancer patients in his career. “The difference in survival is almost always early detection.” With respect to breast cancer detection he advises, “get educated, be suspicious, and seek professional attention when there might be a problem.” It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Reach out and spread the word and know that early detection and treatment can make a difference.

Big E Takes Part in Breast Cancer Awareness MonthStory by Lt. Clifton D. Butler, Physician Assistant and HM3(SW/AW) Tiffany Warren, Well Woman Coordinators

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Keeping in line with the nationally recognized initiative, aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65)’s Health Promotion and Wellness Committee and Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) are recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The slogan for this year’s awareness onboard is “October 2012, Enterprise Thinks Pink!” Every year thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and their family members walk in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Commands around the globe hold special awareness events to bring a sense of understanding to what is currently the number one cancer diagnosed in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Breast cancer is an overgrowth of cells that begin to form a tumor or mass of cells in the breast. These cells typically grow in glands called lobules which are used for milk production and the ducts that connect the lobules to the nipple. The American Cancer Society (ACS) states, “about 1 in 8 (12 percent) women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.” Invasive breast cancer is cancer that has broken through the glandular walls and invaded the surrounding tissue. The cancer that does not break the glandular walls is called “in situ.” The ACS estimates that in 2012 there will be 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed and 39,510 breast cancer deaths. Although normally considered to be a condition associated with the female population, men are also subject to developing breast cancer but only account for one percent of the population with breast cancer. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include but are not limited to the following:

Thursday, October 4 2012Page 2 The Shuttle

Sailor on the Street

“I’ve witnessed three women that contracted, ignored to some degree, and later sought help to survive. My sister and wife’s aunt gave up when the cancer came out of remission and decided the cure was not worth the fight the second time around. Both died after deteriorating physically and agonizing mentally along with their families. The last, but successful, case includes my wife. She had a double mastectomy and full chemo during two battles for remission nine years apart. She currently has monthly treatments that she will most likely endure for the remainder of her life. She now lives every day as a gift.”--LSCS Curtis Brigman

What Everyone Should Understand about Breast Cancer

“Well, there is only one real way to feel about it ... It is awful.  However, one thing I think everyone should know and keep in the back of their minds is that any one can be affected by it not just women in their 40’s.”--IS2 Ashley Lanier

“My mother passed away from breast cancer when I was 11. If you encounter this tragedy in your family, support each other. It is ok to talk about it to your children and family so that you have support to fight it. It is not easy but it will help ease the pain.”--ABHAN Brittany Stewart

“I feel like more people need to be aware of what breast cancer is and the signs of it. If you do feel a lump, do not hesitate to go to a doctor. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”--CTR3 Quinn Johnson

Thursday, October 4, 2012Page 6 The Shuttle

Breast Cancer in Men

known about the disease in men. A study released last year also found that men are diagnosed on average at an older age (70) than women (62). In the new study, researchers examined the DNA of 823 men with breast cancer and 2,795 similar men without the disease. They then attempted to validate their results by looking at the genes of 438 men with the disease and 474 similar men without it.For now, the findings are useful in terms of understanding the disease, said Dr. Mikael Hartman, an assistant professor at National University of Singapore. “The ultimate goal is prevention, but that is a long way ahead. Thus, any preventive treatment will have to wait.” While it’s helpful to know which genes are connected to the disease, he said, “the ability of these markers to predict breast cancer is so far only marginally better than flipping a coin. When hopefully hundreds of these markers are identified, we could consider making predictions based on an individual’s genetic makeup.”

Researchers report that they’ve identified another genetic variation that appears connected to male breast cancer, a rare condition that kills several hundred men in the United States each year. The finding won’t immediately lead to any improvements in treatment for the disease. Still, “by finding more male breast cancer genes, we can understand more about the biology of the disease and, as a result, get a better understanding of how best to treat male breast cancer,” said study author Dr. Nick Orr, a team leader at the Institute of Cancer Research in London. “We hope these findings will also help us to learn more about how the disease works in women, too.” Male breast cancer is about 100 times less common than female breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. It estimates that this year breast cancer will be diagnosed in about 2,190 men in the United States and will kill about 410 men. The prognosis for men with breast cancer is similar to that for women with breast cancer, although less is

Study Links Another Gene Variant to Male Breast Cancer

What is the Navy doing to promote breast health? In 1994 the DoD Breast Cancer Initiative was launched to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Initiative provided funding to military treatment facilities to establish services/programs to provide breast health education targeting health care providers and patients. The goal of the Breast Cancer Initiative is to improve access to care, provide earlier diagnosis and treatment, increase survival rates, improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with breast cancer, improve follow-on care, and expand education and training for both providers and patients.

Where can I go for help?Currently, Walter Reed National Medical Center and Naval Medical Centers, San Diego and Portsmouth,Va. have multi-disciplinary breast care centers that provide a full spectrum of breast care from wellness to illness.

Why should I do a breast self-exam? Breast cancer internationally is the most common cancer in women. In the United States it is the most common cause of cancer death among women. Breast cancer statistics are sobering: nationally a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes, and 1 woman dies of this disease every 13 minutes. One in every eight women will develop breast cancer at some time in her lifetime. When breast cancer is found early, you have more treatment choices and a better chance of recovery. So, it is important to find breast cancer as early as possible.

I don’t know how to do a breast self-exam? Women who perform Breast Self-Exams (BSE) find 90% of all breast masses. When you find a change, you should see your health care provider. Most breast changes or lumps are not cancerous, but only a health care provider can tell you for sure. Establishing your own health practice of monthly BSE is a good first step to maintaining healthy breasts and fighting breast cancer. Right now, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early and to improve your chances for survival.

Navy Medicine Informs Patients About Breast Health

By HealthDay News

Breast Cancer FAQs

The Shuttle Thursday, October 4, 2012The ShuttlePage 8

Big E Entertainment

Across 3. worn for breast support 5. tells the cells when to grow 7. condition of physical, mental & social wellbeing 6. healthy activity 8. a female hormone

11. pectoralis is an example 12. most common risk for breast cancer 13. removal of a breast 15. teenager 16. something that raises your chances of getting a disease (two words, use a space) 19. cancer22. may be inverted

Down 1. where breast milk is produced 2. female hormone 4. who to see if you have a breast lump 6. healthy activity 9. breast condition found in boys 10. not cancer 11. breast x-ray 14. slender tube leading to the nipple 17. different in each woman 18. age after which most breast cancers occur 20. circular area around the nipple 21. a mass of benign or malignant cells