TI-H ,P5-flAY T 2 2 Learning the Facts About Breast Cancer .In recent years, much has been done to shed a spotlight on the problem' of breast cancer. Much of this exposure is thanks to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Formerly known as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Komen for the Cure started as a promise from Nancy G. Brinker to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that the former would do everything she could to end breast cancer forever. Twenty- five years after that promise was made, Komen for the Cure is now in a position where they've pledged $1 billion toward research and other community health and education programs over the next decade. Despite the increasing presence of Komen for the Cure, there still exists a mountain of misinformation with regards to breast cancer. Below are some of the more common questions and answers with respect to breast cancer. What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer? Unfortunately, this is not a black and white answer, as many factors can influence the likelihood of getting breast cancer. One of the more well-established risk factors for breast cancer is age. The rate of breast cancer in women under the age of 40 is low, while it begins to increase in women older than 40 and is at its highest in women over 70. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 95 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are over the age of 40. Another common risk factor for breast cancer is family history. A woman with an immediate family member (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer has a two to three times greater chance of developing the disease herself than a woman with no such family history. That chance is 4 times as great for women who have more than one immediate family member with breast cancer. Elevated estrogen levels in postmenopausal women also increase the risk for breast cancer. Women with higher levels of estradiol, a type of estrogen, had twice the risk of breast cancer than women with normal levels of estradiol in their bloodstream. Fortunately, this risk factor can be mitigated by the choices an individual makes. That's because estrogen levels can be lowered by daily exercise, a healthy diet, limiting alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight. Can Men Get Breast Cancer? Although it is rare, men can get breast cancer. While fewer than 1 out of every 100 cases of breastcancer occurs in men, the ACS estimated that in 2007 2,030 cases of breast cancer nationwide have occurred in men. While that's a relatively small figure, it does quell the myth that breast cancer is a disease that solely affects women. Are There Different Types of Breast Cancer? There are different types and stages of breast cancer: * Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): DCIS is characterized by abnormal cells in the milk ducts of the breast. These abnormal cells do not leave their original location and invade surrounding breast tissue, hence the name "in situ" (in place). DCIS is not actually cancer, but rather a precancerous condition with a strong likelihood of eventually turning into cancer. In fact, a 2004 study estimated that 20 to 30 percent of women with untreated, low grade DCIS go on to develop invasive cancer. - Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS): LCIS occurs when abnormal cells form in the lobules of the breast. Because these abnormal cells are not malignant and typically do not turn into cancer, LCIS can usually be treated without surgery. LCIS does, however, significantly increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer in either breast. Women who have been diagnosed with LCIS should schedule a mammogram every six to 12 months. Early Breast Cancer (stage I or II): Though the tumors that have formed in early breast cancer are invasive and have spread to surrounding tissue, they are entirely treatable, as the amount of cancer that has spread is typically very small. Close to 90 percent of women with stage I disease survive five years beyond their diagnosis, while roughly 80 percent of those with stage II survive five years. . Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (stage III): Locally advanced breast cancer (stage III) has spread beyond the breast or the lymph nodes in the armpit but has not spread to other organs. Cancer can be present in the skin or there may be advanced involvement in multiple nearby lymph nodes. Women with locally advanced breast cancer have a 50 to 60 percent chance of surviving five years after diagnosis. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of locally advanced breast cancer that, with chemotherapy treatment, boasts similar survival rates (roughly 50 percent) to stage III breast cancers. Inflammatory beast cancer is characterized by swelling and redness of the breast. Unfortunately, initial diagnosis is often incorrect, as it's commonly mistaken as merely an infection. However, antibiotics typically do not work, and only then is breast cancer diagnosed. * Metastatic Breast Cancer (stage IV): This is the most advanced stage of breast cancer and it involves the spreading of cancer to other organs in the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. This form of breast cancer is most often developed after initial treatment fails and breast cancer returns. Though metastatic breast cannot be cured, many women who have been diagnosed with metastatic cancer have lived for many years post-diagnosis. Treatment hinges on the type of cancer, and often involves maintaining a person's quality of life while treating the cancer. How Can I Defend Myself Against Breast Cancer? Regularly checking your breasts for signs and symptoms is the best way to find the disease in its earliest stages, when breast cancer is at its most treatable. Three basic methods of detection work the best. 1. Mammogram: These are X-ray pictures of the breastthat can detect breast cancer even before the formation of a lump. Medical professionals suggest that all women over the age of 40 have a mammogram every year. 2. Breast self-exam: This involves examining your breasts, both with your eyes and by feeling them to detect if there are any lumps. This should be performed on a monthly basis, and any abnormalities should be reported to a physician immediately. 3. Clinical breast exam: This involves a trip to your physician, who will check both your breasts and underarms for any lumps or changes. This should be scheduled at least once every three years for women under 40, and every year for women 40 and older. To learn more about breast cancer, visit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Web site at www.komen.org. .iN A TI O N A L breastac, ,C awareness MONTH H ""~'' :lr P: .i.: :V~ ,"* l''rP.i ~ i:?. '"-~- -r us- *'i ;~* ." '' ~ '*`X) THE JASPER NEWS, Jasoer. FL ' PAGE 5B THURSDAYOCTOBER 23 8 R