Understanding breast cancer Each year, Mother's Day in the United States helps shed light on the problem of breast cancer. Height- ened efforts at raising awareness of breast cancer around Mother's Day in- clude the cooperation of many corporations, includ- ing Major League Baseball, whose players use pink bats in a show of support for breast cancer victims and survivors. But breast cancer is an is- sue that extends beyond the month of May, and many people might be surprised to learn of breast cancer's prevalence. In the United States alone, breast cancer incidence in women is 1 in 8, or roughly 13 percent. In fact, among women in the U.S., breast cancer rates are higher than those of any cancer besides lung cancer. With such staggering fig- ures, it's important for both women and men (who can also suffer from breast can- cer) to gain a greater under- standing of this deadly dis- ease. What Is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer is an un- controlled growth of breast cells. Any type of cancer is the result of mutations in genes responsible for regu- lating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. In a healthy body, the cells replace themselves in an orderly fashion, as healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. When muta- tions occur, changed cells gain the ability to keep di- viding without control or order, producing more sim- ilar cells and forming a tu- mor. In the case of breast can- cer, cancerous cells gradu- ally invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes, which are small organs that filter out foreign substances in the body. If the cancer reaches the lymph nodes, it then has a pathway into other parts of the body. Upon di- agnosis, a patient will be told what stage of breast cancer they are in, which tells how far the cancer has spread beyond the original tumor. Is Breast Cancer Hereditary? According to Breast- Cancer.org, a nonprofit or- ganization dedicated to providing reliable, com- plete and current informa- tion about breast cancer, only 5 to 10 percent of can- cers are due to an abnor- mality inherited from a par- ent. While all breast can- cers are caused by a genet- ic abnormality, roughly 90 percent of breast cancer cases are the result of ge- netic abnormalities that are a result of the aging process and the wear and tear of everyday life. Can Breast Cancer Be Prevented? Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is always an ideal approach, but breast cancer is never the fault of the in- dividual. A balanced diet, a lifestyle that includes ab- staining from smoking and drinking alcohol in excess and regular exercise are all ways to stay healthy, but none will guarantee a woman or man will not get breast cancer. Are There Risk Factors for Breast Cancer? BreastCancer.org notes that there are factors a woman or man can control that might lessen their risk for breast cancer. Those risks include: * Weight. Post- menopausal women in par- ticular can reduce their risk of breast cancer by main- taining a healthy weight. Fat tissue is the body's main source of estrogen after menopause, and having more fat tissue means high- er estrogen levels, which increases breast cancer risk. * Diet. Many cancers are linked to diet, but studies have yet to show for certain which types of foods in- crease the risk for breast cancer. In general, it's good to restrict sources of red meat and other animal fats, such as fats from dairy products. Some studies have shown that eating a lot of red and/or processed meats is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. Eating a diet low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables is often recommended to reduce cancer risk. * Exercise. The Ameri- can Cancer Society recom- mends engaging in 45 to 60 minutes of physical exer- cise 5 or more days per week, as evidence contin- ues to mount that exercise can reduce breast cancer risk. weight loss program Now Available at Suwannee Health & Fitness 12 Week Program can deliver 25 pounds of weight loss Contact Lynn Brannon 386-362-4676 570128-F We would like to thank you, the citizens of Suwannee County, for inviting us into your homes during this campaign season. We appreciate the opportunity to get to know you and allowing us to tell you about our dad, Gary Brown. The people of Suwannee County are what make this a great place to live. Please go out and vote for Gary Brown for Suwannee County Judge on November 2, 2010. Jackson, Garrett and Stuart Brown ! Political advertisement paid for and approved by Gary Brown, Candidate, for Suwannee County Judge * Alcohol and smoking. Alcohol limits the liver's ability to control blood lev- els of estrogen, which can increase risk of breast can- cer. Similarly, smoking has been associated with a small increase in breast cancer risk. BreastCancer.org also notes additional risk fac- tors for breast cancer can include recent oral contra- ceptive use, stress and anxiety and exposure to estrogen. While all of the men- tioned risk factors are with- in an individual's control, there are a host of addition- al factors beyond a person's control that can increase risk of breast cancer. These factors include age, family history, personal history, and race among others. For more information on breast cancer, visit www.breastcancer.org. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the United States, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in American Women. Early detection saves lives, so make a monthly breast self-exam part of your regular routine and see your doctor if you experience any breast changes. If you're a woman age 40 or older or have a history of breast cancer in your family, be sure to schedule an annual mammogram and physical exam by your doctor. 1II4 1VI 1 I4 A14 I 1 H, \ " \ H-[rin'r r~l \ l.'tLlri'l r\ I Sand 3Bonds 630133-F \iL .,,1 ,.I (Elaine Tvson Feb. 1945-July 1999 Love vou 630121-F Pat ;vons ii 4 & 4 1 ii & ii& 4 . FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010 * SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK PAGE 9A , � !� SPat 0H S