Breast Cancer Awareness

Over a woman's lifetime, she has a one in eight risk of developing breast cancer-- the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women next to skin cancer. It is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of female cancer death. It is the number one cancer death in black women. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 182,800 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer resulting in an estimated 40,800 deaths. 

At the present time, breast cancer cannot be prevented. All women are at risk for developing breast cancer simply by being a woman and growing older. There are some studies, however, that suggest that physical activity, good nutrition and certain drugs may lower a woman's risk of getting the disease. The following are the most common risk factors that may increase your chances of developing breast cancer:

• You are over 50 years of age
   

• Your mother, sister or daughter has or had breast cancer
   

• You have had breast cancer before
   

• You never gave birth
   

• You had your first child after the age of 30
   

• You began menstruation before age 12
  

• You began menopause after age 55
   
      

Women who have one or more alcoholic drinks a day have a greater risk of getting breast cancer than women who don't drink.
 
According to Karmanos Cancer Institute, an important common myth about breast cancer risk needs to be dispelled. "Many people believe that if a woman does not have a family history of breast cancer, she is not at risk. In fact, 80 percent of breast cancer patients have no family history of the disease."

It is recognized that 1/3 of all cancer types is directly related to tobacco use and 1/3 of all cancer is closely related to nutrition. Therefore, it would be prudent to follow a healthy, low fat diet with at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and to stop smoking, if you smoke.

The good news is that breast cancer is curable with early detection. Mammography can detect cancers several years before a woman or health care provider can feel a lump. Three out of four abnormalities detected by mammography are benign. On average, about 80 percent of breast biopsies are benign or non-cancerous. Women should be alert for the following conditions in their breasts:

• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or under the arm area
   

• A change in the size or shape of the breast
   

• A discharge from the nipple
  

• A change in color or feel of the skin of the breast, areola or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly)
   

Mammography, clinical breast examination and breast self-examination are the three primary tools women can use to detect breast cancer. Unfortunately, as few as 30% of women are adhering to the recommended screening guidelines. The following are the current recommendations:

1. Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year
      

2.  Have a yearly breast exam by a health care provider
   

3. Do a monthly breast self exam
    

The Macomb County Health Department sponsors the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. This program is aimed at low to moderate income women who are at least 40 years of age and have no health insurance. For details, call the Macomb County Health Department at (586) 412-3384.

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