Check Your Chest for Cancer

October is breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 40 and 85. Every year, 211,000 women will be diagnosed with the disease (one every two minutes), and 43,300 of them will die from it, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. For every 100 women that are diagnosed, one man is as well. Early detection is the best defense against the disease. The survival rate is 96 percent when breast cancer is detected early enough, and there are currently over 2 million male and female breast cancer survivors living in the US today. The National Breast Cancer Foundation recommends monthly self checks, and a mammogram every three years between the ages of 20 and 39. Depending on family history and the results of prior exams, mammograms should be given every two to three years after that. Women over 50 should get a mammogram every year. By the age of 40, it is vital that every woman has a breast exam. For college students, this means our mothers. Encourage and support them through this scary and sometimes painful experience. The alternative could be paying with their lives. The National Breast Cancer Foundation highlights some risky behaviors that could increase your chances of getting beast cancer. The onset of your menstrual cycle before the age of 12 and menopause after the age of 50 increases the risk. Diets high in saturated fats can also increase the risk (saturated fat is something you should avoid anyway, as it is bad for health in general). Family history is the most important contribution to your odds of getting cancer. Family means immediate relatives- sisters, mothers and daughters. However, 85 percent of breast cancer victims have a negative family history. “Moderate” drinking, described as two or more drinks per day according to the site can also increase the risk of breast cancer. There is also a relationship between obesity and breast cancer, although exact figures are still being researched. Testing is currently being done on gene carriers. It is believed by some scientists that five to ten percent of women with breast cancer carry one of two rare genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA 2. While carrying his gene does not mean you will get cancer, women with it should remain closely monitored, as the actual risk related to the gene is unclear at this time. However, there is a suspected correlation. There are multiple stages in the cancer process. The earlier the cancer is detected, the higher the survival rate is. Stage 0 is known as “noninvasive carcinoma.” This is when invasive cells appear, and both breasts become at risk. There are some medications that a woman can take to reduce her chances of developing breast cancer, but most simply continue regular check-ups to watch for a change in stage. Stage I and II are the most critical to early detection. Here, the cancerous cells spread beyond the milk duct and invade nearby tissue. In stage II, the tumor is either less than one inch in diameter and has spread to the underarm area, or the tumor is between one and three inches in diameter and has not spread. This is the stage where radiation treatment or a mastectomy occur, depending on the size of the tumor. Stage III is “advanced” cancer. Here, the tumor is larger than two inches in diameter and has spread to the underarm lymph nodes or breastbone. Stage IV is metastatic cancer. By this point, cancer has spread to other parts of the body, and the only way to remove the tumor is by surgery. Some cancers are recurrent. This means that tumors have returned after they have been initially removed. Most recurrences occur two to three years after treatment, but breast cancer may recur many years later. After cancer treatment, it is important to continue regular exams to insure the cancer does not return. The National Breast Cancer Foundation also discusses some common misconceptions surrounding breast cancer. The first and most important is that detecting a lump does not mean you have cancer. Cysts and Fibroadenomas are common non-cancerous lumps. Lumps also change in relation to the menstrual cycle. After a few months of self-exams, it should be easier to detect what feels normal and what doesn’t. However, do trust your intuition, and call a doctor about any suspicions or questions you might have. Some fear that having too many mammograms in life can increase or spread cancer. Both of these are untrue, reports the foundation. Another common myth is that women with breast cancer in their families will also get breast cancer. Although family history increases the likelihood (as it does with any disease), it is no guarantee. It is suggested that women with cancer in their immediate family get a screening test five years before the age of the relatives diagnosis. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation recommends self breast exams every month, one week before the onset of your menstrual cycle. This is when breasts are most tender and it is easiest to detect changes. It is vital to test at the same time each month. Speare Medical Center is offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings to women over the age of 40 who do not have insurance and fit other qualifications. For more information, contact Kim Bufford. Social Services, at (603) 536-1120. This month, talk to the women you love and encourage them to get a mammogram. We want the women in our lives to remain with us for as long as possible. With the holiday season around the corner, what better way to express our love and concern than setting them up with an appointment that could change their lives.