Breast Cancer Awareness Month

1
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• Dedicated to increasing awareness.

2
Early Signs of Breast Cancer

• A lump is detected, which is usually single,
  firm, and most often painless.
• A portion of the skin on the breast or underarm
  swells and has an unusual appearance.
• Veins on the skin surface become more prominent
  on one breast.

3
Early Signs

• The breast nipple becomes inverted, develops a
  rash, changes in skin texture, or has a discharge
  other than breast milk.
• A depression is found in an area of the breast
  surface.Women's breasts can develop some degree
  of lumpiness, but only a small percentage of
  lumps are malignant.

4
Early Signs

• While a history of breast cancer in the family
  may lead to increased risk, most breast cancers
  are diagnosed in women with no family history. If
  you have a family history of breast cancer, this
  should be discussed with your doctor.

5
Facts About Breast Cancer

• Every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with
  breast cancer.
• This year more than 211,000 new cases of breast
  cancer are expected in the United States.
• One woman in eight who lives to age 85 will
  develop breast cancer during her lifetime.

6
Facts.

• Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in
  women between the ages of 40 and 55.
• 1,600 men are expected to be diagnosed with
  breast cancer this year and 400 are predicted to
  die.
• Seventy percent of all breast cancers are found
  through breast self-exams. Not all lumps are
  detectable by touch. We recommend regular
  mammograms and monthly breast self-exams.

7
Facts

• Eight out of ten breast lumps are not cancerous.
  If you find a lump, don't panic-call your doctor
  for an appointment.
• Mammography is a low-dose X-ray examination that
  can detect breast cancer up to two years before
  it is large enough to be felt.
• When breast cancer is found early, the five-year
  survival rate is 96. This is good news! Over 2
  million breast cancer survivors are alive in
  America today.

8
MYTH Finding a lump in your breast means you
have breast cancer.

• TRUTH Eight out of ten lumps are benign, or
  not cancerous. If you discover a persistent lump
  in your breast or any changes in breast tissue,
  it is very important that you see a physician
  immediately. Many times fear keeps women from
  aggressive health care. Sometimes women stay away
  from medical care because they fear what they
  might find. Take charge of your own health by
  monthly self-exams, regular visits to the doctor,
  and regularly scheduled mammograms.

9
MYTH Men do not get breast cancer.

• TRUTH This year 211,000 women will be diagnosed
  with breast cancer and 43,300 will die however,
  1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer
  and 400 will die. While the percentage of men who
  are diagnosed with breast cancer is small, men
  should also give themselves monthly exams and
  note changes to their physicians.

10
MYTH A mammogram can cause breast cancer to
spread.

• TRUTH An x-ray of the breast is called a
  mammogram. The x-ray and the pressure on the
  breast from the x-ray machine cannot cause cancer
  to spread. Do not let tales of other people's
  experiences keep you from having a mammogram.
  Base your decision on your physician's
  recommendation and ask the physician any
  questions you may have about the mammogram.

11
MYTH Having a family history of breast cancer
means you will get breast cancer.

• TRUTH While women who have a family history of
  breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most
  women who have breast cancer have no family
  history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister,
  or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should
  have a mammogram five years before the age of
  their diagnosis.

12
MYTH Breast cancer is a communicable disease.

• TRUTH You cannot catch breast cancer or
  transfer it to someone else's body. Breast cancer
  is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in your
  own body.

13
Detection Plan

• An Early Breast Cancer Detection Plan should
  include
• Clinical breast examinations every three years
  from ages 20-39, then every year thereafter.
• Monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age
  20. Look for any changes in your breasts.
• Baseline mammogram by the age of 40.

14

• Mammogram every one to two years for women 40-49,
  depending on previous findings.
• Mammogram every year for women 50 and older.
• A personal calendar to record your self-exams,
  mammograms, and doctor appointments.
• A low-fat diet, regular exercise, and no smoking
  or drinking.

15
Early Detection Saves Lives!