Breast Cancer

What is this Disease? Second leading cause of cancer death in women Malignant (cancerous) tumor –Develops from cells in the breast that are growing abnormally & out of control –Some cells may break away and travel to other parts of the body (metastasis) –When cancer comes back after successful treatment – it is called a recurrence.

Breast Cancer Starts Where? Ductal Carcinoma –Breast milk ducts –Most frequent location Lobular Carcinoma –Breast milk lobes Other breast tissues –Fatty & connective tissues –Lymph vessels

U.S. Statistics New cases –203,500 (women) –1,500 (men) Deaths per year –39,600 (women) –400 (men) 5-year localized survival rate - 96% 5-year overall survival rate - 86

,920 women will be diagnosed this year 40,970 will die from breast cancer this year Over 2,000,000 women who have been treated for breast cancer 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime 1 in 33 will die from breast cancer

Am I At Risk? Gender –100 times more common in women that men Age –Risk increases with age –77% of women diagnosed are >50 years of age. Race –White & African American – higher risk Family history –1 st degree relative double the risk –Most women diagnosed do not have a family history

Additional risk factors: –History of non-cancerous breast disease –Starting monthly periods before age 12 –Starting menopause after age 55 –> 5 years post menopausal estrogen replacement therapy –Never having children –Having first child after age 30 –Use of alcohol –Obesity, especially weight gain after menopause –Physical inactivity

How Do I Know If I Have It? Detection of a new lump or mass Generalized swelling of part of a breast Skin irritation or dimpling Nipple pain or retraction Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin Discharge other than breast milk All of these symptoms require follow up

What Can And Should I Do? Prevention –Many risk factors are not modifiable Those related to age and hormones –Lifestyle changes are modifiable Maintaining a healthy diet and weight Routine physical activity Reduce the use of alcohol –Knowledge and awareness Being aware of your risk factors Knowing your body Early detection

Early Detection – Best Outcome Mammograms –Over age 40 – every year Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) –Age 20 – 39 – every 3 years –Over age 40 – every year Breast Self Exam (BSE) –Know how your breasts normally feel –Over age 20 – every month Talk to your doctor –If family history present

Are There Successful Treatments? Most successful when treated early Treatment depends on many factors –Progression of the disease –Patient choices Surgical interventions –Breast conservation surgery – lumpectomy –mastectomy Medical intervention –Chemotherapy –Hormone therapy –Radiation therapy

What Does The Future Hold? Risk factors –Further investigation re: lifestyle & environmental factors Genetics –How to use gene testing Screening –New technology Hormone Therapy –Investigating use in prevention Chemotherapy –New drugs and drug combinations

How Does Diagnosis Impact Lifestyle? Social –Changes in appearance and activity tolerance Physical –Pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties Psychological –Fear of recurrence, guilt, depression –Impact on loved ones –Financial concerns Spiritual

Who Can Help? Support from family & friends American Cancer Society –Cancer Survivors Network HOPE Links for Life –Support group

Who is “Links For Life”? Local Breast Cancer Organization –2 Full & 1 Part time employees –Many, many volunteers Provides an organization to benefit person affected by breast cancer Challenges each women in Kern County to be aware of her breast health Educated the general public, teaching that optimum health and early detection saves lives

Links For Life – Lives are being Saved Raise funds for local programs –Pro-Am Golf Tournament & Gala –Paint the Town Pink (October Over $100,000 raised in 2005 –Field over 4,000 phone calls from the public –Provide 240 wigs from our wig shop –Provide 20 Bras/Prosthesis –Arrange for needed tests for women under 40 who are uninsured or underinsured 440 mammograms 240 ultrasounds 45 needle biopsies –Results of these tests: 4 positive cancers detected –3 women under 40 –1 man

Other services –Support group Encouragement, support, friendship, & information –Seminars Community education –Library Current reference books & videos –Scholarships Support our local nursing students –Health fairs

Where Can I Receive More Info? American Cancer Society –1-800-ACS Links for Life – National Cancer Institute – cancer Susan G. Komen Foundation –1-800-IM AWARE National Allicance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO) – Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization –