Early detection means greater chance of survival Published Sept. 27, 2007 By Julie Davidson, RN 72nd Medical Group TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Early detection is the key and means greater chance of survival: When breast cancer is found early, many women go on to live long and healthy lives. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 (12%). In addition to invasive breast cancer, carcinoma in situ (CIS) will account for about 62,030 new cases in 2007. CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining over the last 17 years with the largest percentage of decrease in women under 50 who are surviving cancer and living long and healthy lives. This is good news because women under 50 have historically had a higher death rate from cancer then women who were diagnosed in their 50s and 60s. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment. Examine your breasts monthly. The American Cancer Society or ACS recommends you start self breast exams or BSE by age 20. Pick a day you can remember, like the 1st day of the month or the day you pay your cable bill. If you take birth control pills, you may choose to perform your self breast exam the same day you change to the different colored pill. This may be helpful for women with lumpy bumpy breasts. The goal is choose a point in your cycle when your breasts are less tender and lumpy. Ultimately, the goal is to remember. Performing self-exams each month helps women become more familiar with their breasts and let them find changes that may need to be investigated further. If you notice changes, make an appointment to be evaluated by a trained medical professional. Even if you have not noticed changes in your breast, you should make an appointment to have a breast exam by a medically trained professional once every 3 years until age 40.The average size lump found by a woman doing regular BSE is 2.1 cm, about the size of a quarter. Changes to report to your Health care provider · Lump, hard knot or thickening · Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening · Changes in the size or shape · Dimpling or puckering of the skin · Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple · Pulling in of the nipple or other parts · Nipple discharge that starts suddenly · New pain in one spot that does not go away Did you know that Tricare will pay for a mammogram annually starting age 35 or even sooner if you have a first degree relative, premenopausal relative or multiple relatives diagnosed with breast cancer? If you have a family history discuss this with your doctor. ACS recommends yearly MRI along with yearly mammograms for certain high risk women and, depending on your history, genetic testing can also be done to help determine your risk of developing breast cancer. Why a mammogram? A mammogram, or an X-ray picture of the breast, is used to look for breast cancer. Regular mammography is the best test for most women to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. The average size lump found by first mammogram is 1.5cm, about the size of a dime. If you are 40 or over and have not had your annual breast exam and mammogram contact your provider. If you have had a mammogram previously, bring your films to your next mammogram appointment. The average size found by getting yearly mammograms when past films can be compared are even smaller than a dime at 1.1cm. The smaller the lump, the less chance that is has spread. Tinker Radiology services at the 72d Medical Group is available to perform screening mammograms Monday through Friday each morning and Friday afternoon as well. Screening mammograms are performed on healthy women without symptoms. If you have implants, if you noticed any of the symptoms described in this article, if you have a personal history of breast cancer, or need a short term follow up from a previously evaluated lump you will need a Diagnostic Mammogram. During the diagnostic mammogram you can expect to have more films or images taken of your breasts than in a screening mammogram. You may also have an ultra sound of one or both breasts after the mammogram. A Radiologist will be present to evaluate your films. What are tumors and breast cancer? Sometimes breast cells become abnormal. These abnormal cells grow, divide, and create new cells that the body does not need and that do not function normally. The extra cells form a mass of tissue called a tumor. Some tumors are "benign," or noncancerous. Benign tumors generally stay confined, don't spread to other parts of the body, and don't cause major health problems. Other tumors are "malignant," or cancerous, and have the ability to spread and damage healthy cells in other parts of the body. Malignant breast tumors can spread to other tissues, such as lymph nodes, bone, liver, lungs, and brain, and can cause death. What causes breast cancer? As with many types of cancer, medical experts do not know exactly what causes breast cancer. Almost all breast cancer, however, occurs in women. Breast cancer can develop in men, but it is very rare and accounts for less than half of 1percent of all breast cancers. Bumping, bruising, pinching, or touching the breast does not cause breast cancer. You cannot "catch" breast cancer from another person. As scientists continue to research possible causes of breast cancer, they have identified certain factors that increase a woman's risk for breast cancer. " What increases my chance of getting breast cancer? · Age: Post menopausal. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop breast cancer. · Family History: Having close relatives with breast cancer increases your chances of getting breast cancer. If this is your family history, contact you doctor for a full evaluation of your risk. · Race: All women can get breast cancer, but white women get it more often than Hispanic, African American, Asian, or Native American women. Although medical experts do not know why, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than of other racial and ethnic groups. · Having Children: Not having children, or having your first child later in life (in your 30s and 40s), increase your chance of getting breast cancer. · Certain Medications: Taking hormone replacement therapy drugs after menopause may increase your chance of getting breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits for you. · Personal History: Having had cancer in one breast increases the chance of getting cancer in the other breast. · Physically Fit: Physical inactivity and obesity can contribute also. Staying healthy and preventing cancer. Scientists are studying how best to prevent breast cancer. Staying healthy may help. To protect your overall health and to prevent many kinds of cancer: Visit www.cancer.org for ACS recipes and other practical way to stay healthy. · Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. · Exercise counts, get regular physical activity. · Aim for a healthy weight. · Do not have more than one alcoholic drink a day. · Do not smoke; if you do smoke, quit. Reduce the risk of breast cancer, get a mammogram yearly. You should have an annual screening mammogram starting age 40. If you have family history of breast cancer in a first degree relative, a baseline mammogram at age 35 or earlier is recommended. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you'd like further information regarding Breast cancer prevention, the 72d Medical group will have free information available throughout the Family Practice and General Surgery Clinics beginning 1 October 2007. If you currently have cancer, there are many resources available for you. For more information, call Julie Davidson, RN in the general surgery clinic, at 736-2730.