Breast cancer affects almost one in every eight women at some time during their lives. It is the second most common newly diagnosed cancer in women in our country. It has been estimated that during the year 2011, more than 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and an additional almost 58,000 cases of in situ breast cancer were to be diagnosed. And, the disease is not restricted to women only. It One percent or just over 2,000 cases of various types of cancer were expected to occur in men during that period. The most recent data available indicates relative survival rates diagnosed with breast cancer are at 89% after diagnosis, 82% after 10 years and 77% after 15 years.
Cancer itself is a group of diseases that causes cells within the body to change and grow. In the case of breast cancer, the disease begins in glands known as lobules. Most masses are benign and do not spread or grow unusually large. Others are referred to as being in situ, meaning they are confined within the ducts or lobules. The stages of breast cancer range from 0 to 4 and depend on the size and spread of the mass.
Because breast cancer generally begins without symptoms, many individuals are unaware there is a problem. This is unfortunate, because it is at this stage that the cancer is small and most easily treatable. When the tumor grows to the size that it can be felt, the most common symptom is a mass that is generally free of pain. Less common signs may include pain, thickening, redness, a spontaneous discharge, and nipple inversion. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better. Therefore, women should perform self examination at home on a regular basis and follow up with clinical exams performed by a health care provider that should be a basic part of a woman’s periodic checkup. If you are unsure what is involved, ask your gynecologist or primary care physician to provide instructions on self-exam which will allow you to detect abnormalities early on. Without a family history or problems, mammography should begin around the age of 40 for women. ANY abnormality should be brought to the attention of a health care provider for evaluation, either through mammogram initially, needle or surgical biopsy, ultrasound, MRI, or other testing deemed appropriate. Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may choose to ask their physician about having gene testing known as BRAC1 and BRAC2 done.
There are specific issues that make some women more prone to breast cancer than others, with the most important one being age. Women, particularly those pre-menopausal, should avoid long-term heavy smoking. Despite studies, there was no link found in the past; however, a continuation of those studies have brought this to light. Women should attempt to control their weight. Being obese, especially in later years, is believed to have a bearing, as is being on hormone replacement therapy, having used birth control pills and having a first child after the age of 35. Females should be as physically active as possible and get more than two hours of moderate physical activity weekly. Exposure to environmental pollution and radiation through medical testing and other means should be kept to a minimum.
The fight against breast cancer continues and monumental strides have been made in fighting this dreaded disease. Individuals all over the country are undertaking projects to raise awareness. The more each and every one of us knows, the better off we will all be. Life is precious. Do everything you can to preserve yours by having timely mammograms and appropriate follow-up. Let’s bring those statistics down and enjoy this beautiful country we live in.
