Ride For Life


BREAST CANCER Breast cancer is life-threatening because it spreads to vital organs. One cancer cell multiplies, forming a malignant tumor. These cancer cells then break into blood vessels and enter the lymph system, a network of vessels that carry fluids through the body. Cancer cells then spread through the body and secondary tumors form, most commonly in the lungs, bones and liver. The process of spreading from a primary tumor to secondary tumors is called metastasis. This QuickTime Movie file shows you how cancer spreads in the breast area. The file is 526KB and it is courtesy of Health Philadelphia. BREAST CANCER IS THE MOST COMMON CANCER IN WOMEN A major health problem in many parts of the world, it is especially prevalent in developed countries. As a result of large-scale screening of women considered at higher risk, a greater number of breast cancers have been discovered and treated in recent years, even in cases where the women experienced no symptoms. In the United States there were over 180,000 new cases diagnosed in 1996 and over 44,500 women die each year from cancer originating in the breast. One in eight American women will develop this illness at some time during her life. The rate of incidence increases with age, and women 75 years and older are at highest risk. Although breast cancer primarily afflicts females, about 1400 male breast cancers were also diagnosed in the United States in 1996. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 1998 some 178,700 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. An estimated 1,600 cases will be diagnosed among men.
MAMMOGRAM The American Cancer Society recommends that women get a mammogram every year, beginning at the age of forty. A mammogram takes a x-ray of the breast from the top and side views. Mammograms can detect tumors in the earliest stages, however, a standard mammogram can miss 15-20% of cancerous tumors.
	This mammogram shows calcification (dense white flecks) in a cancerous tumor. The nipple is to the left. The majority of breast cancers originate in the duct of the mammary gland. The remainder arise in the glands themselves. Most tumors of either type show early evidence of invasive (malignant) behavior, but both may also exist in noninvasive forms.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) gives doctors a 3-D view of the breast on a computer screen. This allows them to see the size and shape of the tumor, which may help doctors tell what type of tumor.

These are some current facts: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Breast cancer is diagnosed in 1 out of every 3 cases of cancer. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In 1960, it was 1 in 14 women. In 1996, 184,300 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed. Out of the 184,300 new cases in 1996, 24% were expected to die from it. 77% of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are 50 or older. In the US, a woman has a 12.6% chance of developing breast cancer, and a 2.6% chance of dying from it. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women 40-55 years of age. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for African American women.

Mammograms can reveal small tumors up to two years before they can be felt. Fewer than 1/3 of American women get a mammogram once a year as recommended. 2/3 of breast cancer cases occur in women over 50. In 1998, it is estimated that there will be about 43,900 deaths from breast cancer in the United States (43,500 women, 400 men).

BREAST CANCER CAN BE DETECTED IN IT'S EARLY STAGES!

SELF-EXAMINATION
Self-examinations should be conducted once every month a couple days before the menstrual period ends. Ask your doctor for instructions. Three methods listed by Health Philadelphia are:

Move your fingers down beginning under the arm to below the breast. Move your fingers toward the center and go slowly back up.
Start at the outer edge of the breast and move your fingers in a spiral motion around it toward the nipple.
Move your fingers on the outer edge toward the nipple and back, covering the entire breast, one small section at a time.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

Lumps
Thick areas in breast, underarms, or upper chest
Changes in skin texture
Changes in shape of breasts
Nipple discharge, inversion, erosion, or tenderness

LINKS
For more information on breast cancer, please visit the following sites.

OTHER INFORMATIVE LINKS