FACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCERJessica Neumann

Kadie Parrett

Cassondra Damitz

DIAGNOSIS

Definition of breast cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Breast cancer is often first suspected when a lump is felt or when an abnormal area is found on a mammogram.

Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2007:New cases: 178,480 (female); 2,030 (male)Deaths: 40,460 (female); 450 (male)

RISK AND GENETICS

Research has shown that women with a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk for developing the disease. That's true whether the family history is on the mother's side or the father's. And it's especially true if the women in the family were diagnosed with the disease before the age of 50.

Some women with a strong family history of the disease have inherited a specific gene abnormality that increases their risk for breast cancer.

RISK FACTORS

Several factors associated with increased risk of breast cancer include: age, family history, age at first full-term pregnancy, early menarche, and late menopause.

Having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia or carcinoma in situ

Being exposed to large amounts of radiation, such as having very frequent spine X-rays during scoliosis treatment or treatment for Hodgkin’s disease at a young age.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIFESTYLE FACTORS

There are so many factors that might affect your risk for breast cancer and other diseases: what you eat, how much you exercise, whether you smoke, the types of chemicals in your environment, and more.

More exercise, more fruits and veggies, and lowering your alcohol intake may help lower your risk for breast cancer.

SCREENING AND TESTING Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age

40. A clinical breast exam should be part of a periodic health

exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and older.

Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast changes promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam is an option for women starting in their 20s.

Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (i.e., breast ultrasound and MRI), or having more frequent exams.

RACE AND ETHNICITY

White women have a higher incidence of breast cancer than African American women after age 35.

African American women have a slightly higher incidence rate before age 35 and are more likely to die from breast cancer at every age.

Incidence and death rates of breast cancer are lower among women of other racial and ethnic groups than among white and African American women .

TREATMENT

Surgery (to completely remove the tumor from the breast.)

Radiation (also known as radiotherapy) uses targeted, high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells.)

Chemotherapy (the use of anticancer drugs to kill or disable cancer cells.)

Trastuzumab (Herceptin) a specially made antibody that targets cancer cells that have high numbers of a protein called HER2/neu on their surface. When attached to the HER2/neu protein, trastuzumab slows or stops the growth of the cancer cells.

TREATMENT CONT.

Tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and other hormonal therapies (can halt the growth of cancer cells by preventing the cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow)

Targeted Therapies (attack specific molecular agents or pathways involved in the development of cancer)

Chemotherapy Drugs

TESTIMONIES

“I was eight months pregnant when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was immediately scheduled for a c-section so I could begin treating the fast-growing tumor.” -Ana Castillo

TESTIMONIES “At twenty-four years

old-it was a time to be celebrating life, hanging out with friends, working at a "real" job. It was certainly not a time to be diagnosed with breast cancer and have a mastectomy! But that is exactly what happened to me.”

-Carol McBride

TESTIMONIES “Sometimes life throws

you a curve, and you must literally stop and look fear straight in the face. That is what happened to me on December 31, 2003. Statistics tell us that most women find breast lumps themselves, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be one of those statistics.”

-Sara Rice

TESTIMONIES “Cancer is not

something you can control, but you can control how you handle it. If you choose to let it get you down, it will do just that. If you choose to go through the journey and learn something from it, then it will have meaning.”

-Brenda Wilson

SURVIVORS Every year 181,000

people in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer, here are some of the many strong survivors.

Linda Groffie-Balint Donna Damitz

(on right)

Diane Varner

Becky Conner

HOW TO RAISE AWARENESS Making Strides

Against Breast Cancer A noncompetitive walk

to help fight breast cancer and provide hope to people facing the disease. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer refers to the vital progress the American Cancer Society has made through research, education, advocacy, and patient services.

Relay for Life A fun-filled 24 hour

event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times, the idea being that cancer never sleeps.