Statistics:
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009 about 192,400 new cases of invasive breast cancer (Stages I-IV) will be diagnosed among women in the United States. The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is about 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Death rates have declined during the last decade likely because of earlier detection and improved treatments.
Risk Factors:
While many risk factors such as age, family history or race cannot be changed, there are many that you can control.
Here are some of the controllable risk factors for breast cancer:
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Obesity and high-fat diet
- Physical inactivity and
- Environmental pollution
Signs and Symptoms:
The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A lump that is painless, hard and has uneven edges is more likely to be cancer.
But some rare cancers are tender, soft and rounded. So it's important to have anything unusual checked by your doctor.
Other signs of breast cancer include the following:
- A swelling of part of the breast
- Skin irritation or dimpling
- Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
- Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
- A nipple discharge other than breast milk
- A lump in the underarm area
Screening:
The American Cancer Society recommends doing a Breast Cancer Self-exam monthly; and a clinical physical examination for women aged 20-40, every 3 years; and for women over 40, every year. Mammography is recommended every year for women 40 and older.
Should you be diagnosed with breast cancer, sophisticated radiation therapy is available through PinnacleHealth's Radiation Oncology Division in Harrisburg. PinnacleHealth's advanced equipment delivers better, more accurate radiation treatment with fewer side effects to patients. Call (717) 782-4750 for information.
PinnacleHealth is your partner in the fight against breast cancer. The cancer specialists at PinnacleHealth Regional Cancer Center played a key role in the landmark Breast Cancer Prevention Trial that demonstrated in 1998 that the drug Tamoxifen reduced breast cancer by 49 percent in high-risk women and more recently in the STAR Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene. Results of the study were released in April of 2006. Initial results of the STAR Study show that the drug raloxifene, currently used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, works as well as tamoxifen in reducing breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women at increased risk of the disease. PinnacleHealth participated in this clinical trial, one of the largest breast cancer prevention trials ever conducted. For details, call (717) 782-4750.
To help you learn more about the risk factors associated with hereditary breast cancer, PinnacleHealth Regional Cancer Center provides the Family Risk Assessment Program. Eligible women and their families may have the option to have genetic testing through this program. Call (717) 782-4750 for more information.
Susan Hillbish
"You’re in this world that you’ve never been in before with this thing that could possibly kill you. There are times when you really need the answers.”
The news that she had breast cancer took Susan Hillbish by complete surprise. She was determined to learn all she could to fight the disease.
"All the doctors that I had at PinnacleHealth were very knowledgeable and very ready to answer any questions that I had,” Susan recalls. "The techs at radiation therapy always took time to ask questions. The nurse always saw me when I first came in. Everybody was always so helpful. I never felt like I was hung out to dry for information.”
Susan’s treatment included external beam radiation at the Radiation Oncology unit at Polyclinic Hospital. Advances in technology allow radiation to be delivered more precisely than ever to zero in on the cancer cells. It also means fewer side effects.
The experience has made Susan a big believer in taking the offensive against breast cancer.
“If you have any chance of survival you want that early detection. It’s a pretty important thing,” she stresses. “And for Pete’s sake don’t forget to do your breast exams.
I don’t think you can ever let your guard down.”
To Help You Get Started
If you need a mammogram, but do not want to go alone, call PinnacleHealth WomanCare Resource Center, (717) 231-8975 to be linked with a Bosom Buddy. Your "buddy" will keep you company and provide you with the resolve you need to get this important screening.