Why is october breast cancer awareness month? Komen held their first Race for the Cure in October 1983 which garnered a lot of attention that other countries followed suit. National Breast Cancer Month (NBCM) organization has designated October to be the official awareness month, even though the organization is working on educating and raising awareness all year long. The first program took place in October 1985 when they held a week long event.
October is also known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is an international health campaign designed to bring awareness to a disease that affects 1 out of every 8 women. In rare, yet still documented cases, it also affects one out of every one thousand men.
The pink ribbon, the symbol for breast cancer awareness was invented in 1991 by Evelyn H. Lauder, founder & president of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Alexandra Penney. During the month of October people wear the pink ribbon everywhere. To show their support people wear anything pink, be it ribbons, scarves, clothes, you name it.
Breast Cancer Awareness:
1) Studies have shown that estradiol alone does not cause breast cancer.
2) Our bodies have the highest levels of estrogen in them when our breast cancer risk is almost zero. It is not until we hit menopause (when our levels are at their lowest) that the risk goes up.
3) Study that showed a small increase in breast cancer was majorly flawed. Also, the the women in the arm of the study that showed this small increase in breast cancer were also on Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ( a very bad progesterone loaded with negative side effects for the body). It is this hormones which can cause breast cancer; not bio-identical progesterone or estrogens.
4) Testosterone ( a major hormone for health and well being) will LOWER breast cancer risk.
5) NOT ALL HORMONES ARE CREATED EQUAL! Our bodies were designed to be perfect. Estrogen was placed in our bodies for a major reason. It is when molecules which are not exactly the same as our original hormones are introduced issues may arise.
6) Breast cancer is the most common cancer that affects women.
7) It is also the second leading cause of cancer death in women between ages 20 and 59 (the first being lung cancer).
8) Although it can be rare, it accounts for 1% of male cancer patients.
9) Young women are also at risk, accounting for 5% of breast cancer patients.
10) Risk factors for breast cancer include age, ethnicity, family history, diet, hormonal factors, clinical factors, alcohol use and radiation.
11) People can be carrying the disease for years without them knowing.
12) You can minimize your risk through early detection.
Remember it all starts with the education, so remember to get your girls checked and remind other women close to you to do the same.
Showing posts with label statistics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label statistics. Show all posts
Alcohol Breast Cancer Survivors
It is found that Alcohol will increase the risk of recurrence in Breast Cancer Survivors. Early stage breast cancer survivors should be aware that alcohol consumption can increase their breast cancer recurrence rate.
A study that was carried out over a period of seven years, with 1900 participants whom have been treated for early stage breast cancer discovered that those who have consume a couple of drinks a week have a higher risk of a breast cancer recurrence than those breast cancer survivors that don't drink.
The findings also found that the risk was higher among older or overweight woman. During the studied period, an overall of 35% were more likely to have a breast cancer relapses and 51% higher chances to die of breast cancer.
The researchers found that post menopausal woman who consume alcohol moderately had a higher risk of recurrence, 51%, compared to those younger one. These risk further increases in those obesity woman.
A study that was carried out over a period of seven years, with 1900 participants whom have been treated for early stage breast cancer discovered that those who have consume a couple of drinks a week have a higher risk of a breast cancer recurrence than those breast cancer survivors that don't drink.
The findings also found that the risk was higher among older or overweight woman. During the studied period, an overall of 35% were more likely to have a breast cancer relapses and 51% higher chances to die of breast cancer.
The researchers found that post menopausal woman who consume alcohol moderately had a higher risk of recurrence, 51%, compared to those younger one. These risk further increases in those obesity woman.
Breast Cancer Statistics
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today (after lung cancer) and is the most common cancer among women, aside from non-melanoma cancers. Its is also the most common cancer among Canadian women.
Breast cancer incidence in women in the United States is 1 in 8 (about 13%). Approximately 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer annually worldwide and about 465,000 will die from the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer rates have risen about 30% in the past 25 years in western countries. This is due to increased in screening which detects the cancer in earlier stages.
In 2009, an estimation of 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 62,280 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. Less than 1% of all new breast cancer cases is expected to occur in men.
* An estimated 22,700 women diagnosed with breast cancer, 5,400 will die.
* An estimated 180 men diagnosed with breast cancer, 50 will die of it.
* On average, 437 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week.
* On average, 104 Canadian women will die of breast cancer every week.
Estimated Probability: One in 9 women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime and one in 28 will die of it. The lifetime probability of developing breast cancer in developed countries is about 4.8%, according to the American Cancer Society (the probability is about 13% for any type of cancer). In developing countries, the lifetime probability of developing breast cancer is about 1.8%.
Breast cancer survivors rate is about 2.5 million women in the U.S. in year 2008.
Breast cancer incidence in women in the United States is 1 in 8 (about 13%). Approximately 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer annually worldwide and about 465,000 will die from the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer rates have risen about 30% in the past 25 years in western countries. This is due to increased in screening which detects the cancer in earlier stages.
In 2009, an estimation of 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 62,280 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. Less than 1% of all new breast cancer cases is expected to occur in men.
* An estimated 22,700 women diagnosed with breast cancer, 5,400 will die.
* An estimated 180 men diagnosed with breast cancer, 50 will die of it.
* On average, 437 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week.
* On average, 104 Canadian women will die of breast cancer every week.
Estimated Probability: One in 9 women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime and one in 28 will die of it. The lifetime probability of developing breast cancer in developed countries is about 4.8%, according to the American Cancer Society (the probability is about 13% for any type of cancer). In developing countries, the lifetime probability of developing breast cancer is about 1.8%.
Breast cancer survivors rate is about 2.5 million women in the U.S. in year 2008.
Breast Cancer Causes
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| Breast Cancer Causes |
Breast Cancer Causes
Gender
Gender is one of the biggest risk causes because breast cancer mostly occurs in women. While men also get the disease, it is about 100 times more common in women than in men.
Age
Age is another critical factor that causes breast cancer, even though breast cancer may occur at any age but the risk increases with age. Generally, women over 50 are more likely to get breast cancer than younger women. Most breast cancers (about 80%) develop in women over the age of 50. The average woman at age 30 years has one chance in 280 of developing breast cancer in the next 10 years. This chance increases to one in 70 for a woman aged 40 years, and to one in 40 at age 50 years. A 60-year-old woman has a one in 30 chance of developing breast cancer in the next 10 years.
Race
African-American women are more likely than Caucasian to get breast cancer before menopause but white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African American women in the U.S. and also African American women are more likely to die of breast cancer due to faster growing tumors in their race. Statistics show that Asian, Hispanic, and Native-American women have a lower risk of getting and dying from breast cancer. Why this is the case and cause, is unknown.
Benign Breast Disease
Certain benign (not cancer) breast problems can cause increased risk of breast cancer. Fibrocystic breast changes are very common. Fibrocystic disease temporary changes in the breasts that coincide with the menstrual cycle especially right before the menstrual period. Fibrocystic breasts are lumpy with some thickened tissue and are frequently associated with breast discomfort. This condition does not lead to breast cancer.
However, certain other types of benign breast changes, such as those diagnosed on biopsy as proliferative or hyperplastic, do predispose women to the later development of breast cancer. Moderate or severe hyperplasia alone may increase breast cancer risk by 1.5- to 4-fold; however, when associated with atypia, the risk may causes to be increased as much as 5-fold. If a woman also has a family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives, her risk may be increased 11-fold.
Family History Of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. The relatives can be from either the mother's or father's side of the family. However, approximately 85% of women with breast cancer do NOT report a history of breast cancer within their families. The remaining 15%, about one-third appear to have a genetic abnormality. Nevertheless, having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer about doubles a woman's risk. The risk can increased 4- to 5 times if the relative's cancer was found before menopause.
Alcohol Use
Drinking alcohol regularly -- more than a couple of drinks a day -- may be the cause and promote the cancer. By contrast, breast cancer risk is nearly doubled in women who have more than three drinks daily. Those who have 2 to 5 drinks daily have about 1½ times the risk of women who drink no alcohol. The American Cancer Society suggests limiting the amount you drink to one drink a day. There is a recognized relationship between the consumption of more than two drinks a day and an increased level of estrogen in the blood that could be the breast cancer causes.
Being Overweight
Being overweight is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. Women whose diets are high in fat are more likely to get the disease. The link between diet and breast cancer causes are debated as studies of fat in the diet as it relates to breast cancer risk have often given conflicting results. Researchers suspect that if a woman lowers her daily calories from fat -- to less than 20%-30% -- her diet may help protect her from developing breast cancer. Nonetheless, exercise appears to be beneficial, no matter what a woman's body size.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor, usually a carcinoma, that starts in the cells of the breast in both women and men. A malignant tumor is a kind of cancer cells that develops in breast cells, characterized by the growth of malignant cells in the mammary glands which may invade surrounding tissues.
This tumor cells in the breast divide and multiply in an uncontrolled fashion, which could spread or metastasize to other areas of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system (lymph nodes).
Incidence increases with age and risk factors include a family history of breast cancer, late menopause, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Initial symptoms may include a small painless lump, thick or dimpled skin, or nipple retraction.
It is one of the most common malignancies in women in the US. Breast cancer is also the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer statistically it is the fifth most common cause of cancer death.
There are several types of breast cancer, however, some of them are quite rare. In some cases a single breast tumor can have a combination of these types or have a mixture of invasive and in situ cancer.
Ductal carcinoma in situ also known as intraductal carcinoma. The most common type of non-invasive breast cancer. The cancer cells are contain inside the ducts and have not spread through the surrounding breast tissue.
Lobular carcinoma in situ also called lobular neoplasia. It is sometimes classified as a non-invasive breast cancer. It begins in the milk-producing glands but does not grow through the wall of the lobules.
Invasive (or infiltrating) ductal carcinoma
Starts within a milk passage (duct) of the breast, breaks through the duct, and grows into the fatty tissue of the breast. It may be even spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system and bloodstream. About 80% invasive breast cancers are infiltrating ductal carcinomas.
Invasive (or infiltrating) lobular carcinoma
Also starts in the milk-producing glands (lobules). It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. About 1% invasive breast cancers is an Invasive (or infiltrating) lobular carcinoma. Invasive lobular carcinoma may be harder to detect by a mammogram than invasive ductal carcinoma.
Inflammatory breast cancer, an uncommon type of invasive breast cancer. About 1 to 3 out of 10 of all breast cancers. There is no single lump or tumor. Instead, it will makes the skin of the breast look red and feel warm. Which also gives the breast skin a thick, pitted appearance that looks similar like an orange peel.
Triple-negative breast cancer breast cancers (usually invasive ductal carcinomas) whose cells lack estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors, and do not have an excess of the HER2 protein on their surfaces. It grow and spread more quickly than most other types of breast cancer. Because the tumor cells lack these certain receptors.
Medullary carcinoma, a special type of infiltrating breast cancer. It has a rather well-defined boundary between tumor tissue and normal tissue. Its special features include the large size of the cancer cells and the presence of immune system cells at the edges of the tumor. Medullary carcinoma accounts for about 3% to 5% of breast cancers.
Mixed tumors contain a variety of cell types, such as invasive ductal cancer combined with invasive lobular breast cancer.
Metaplastic carcinoma also known as carcinoma with metaplasia. It is a very rare type of invasive ductal cancer. These tumors cells that are normally not found in the breast, such as cells that look like skin cells (squamous cells) or cells that make bone.
Paget disease of the nipple This type of breast cancer starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the skin of the nipple and then to the areola, the dark circle around the nipple. Accounting to only about 1% of all cases of breast cancer. The skin of the nipple and areola often appears crusted, scaly, and red, with areas of bleeding or oozing. The woman may notice burning or itching.
Mucinous carcinoma known as colloid carcinoma, a rare type of invasive breast cancer is formed by mucus-producing cancer cells.
Tubular carcinoma is another special type of invasive ductal breast carcinoma. They are called tubular because of the way the cells are arranged when seen under the microscope. Tubular carcinomas account for about 2% of all breast cancers.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (adenocystic carcinoma). These cancers have both glandular (adenoid) and cylinder-like (cystic) features when seen under the microscope. They make up less than 1% of breast cancers.
Papillary carcinoma these cancers tend to be arranged in small, finger-like projections when viewed under the microscope. These tumors can be separated into non-invasive and invasive types. Make up no more than 1% or 2% of all breast cancers.
Phyllodes tumor very rare breast tumor develops in the stroma (connective tissue) of the breast, in contrast to carcinomas, which develop in the ducts or lobules. Other names for these tumors include phylloides tumor and cystosarcoma phyllodes.
Angiosarcoma a form of cancer that starts from cells that line blood vessels or lymph vessels. It rarely occurs in the breasts. When it does, it usually develops as a complication of previous radiation treatments. This is an extremely rare complication of breast radiation therapy that can develop about 5 to 10 years after radiation.
This tumor cells in the breast divide and multiply in an uncontrolled fashion, which could spread or metastasize to other areas of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system (lymph nodes).
Incidence increases with age and risk factors include a family history of breast cancer, late menopause, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Initial symptoms may include a small painless lump, thick or dimpled skin, or nipple retraction.
It is one of the most common malignancies in women in the US. Breast cancer is also the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer statistically it is the fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Types of Breast Cancers
There are several types of breast cancer, however, some of them are quite rare. In some cases a single breast tumor can have a combination of these types or have a mixture of invasive and in situ cancer.
Ductal carcinoma in situ also known as intraductal carcinoma. The most common type of non-invasive breast cancer. The cancer cells are contain inside the ducts and have not spread through the surrounding breast tissue.
Lobular carcinoma in situ also called lobular neoplasia. It is sometimes classified as a non-invasive breast cancer. It begins in the milk-producing glands but does not grow through the wall of the lobules.
Invasive (or infiltrating) ductal carcinoma
Starts within a milk passage (duct) of the breast, breaks through the duct, and grows into the fatty tissue of the breast. It may be even spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system and bloodstream. About 80% invasive breast cancers are infiltrating ductal carcinomas.
Invasive (or infiltrating) lobular carcinoma
Also starts in the milk-producing glands (lobules). It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. About 1% invasive breast cancers is an Invasive (or infiltrating) lobular carcinoma. Invasive lobular carcinoma may be harder to detect by a mammogram than invasive ductal carcinoma.
Less common types of breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer, an uncommon type of invasive breast cancer. About 1 to 3 out of 10 of all breast cancers. There is no single lump or tumor. Instead, it will makes the skin of the breast look red and feel warm. Which also gives the breast skin a thick, pitted appearance that looks similar like an orange peel.
Triple-negative breast cancer breast cancers (usually invasive ductal carcinomas) whose cells lack estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors, and do not have an excess of the HER2 protein on their surfaces. It grow and spread more quickly than most other types of breast cancer. Because the tumor cells lack these certain receptors.
Medullary carcinoma, a special type of infiltrating breast cancer. It has a rather well-defined boundary between tumor tissue and normal tissue. Its special features include the large size of the cancer cells and the presence of immune system cells at the edges of the tumor. Medullary carcinoma accounts for about 3% to 5% of breast cancers.
Mixed tumors contain a variety of cell types, such as invasive ductal cancer combined with invasive lobular breast cancer.
Metaplastic carcinoma also known as carcinoma with metaplasia. It is a very rare type of invasive ductal cancer. These tumors cells that are normally not found in the breast, such as cells that look like skin cells (squamous cells) or cells that make bone.
Paget disease of the nipple This type of breast cancer starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the skin of the nipple and then to the areola, the dark circle around the nipple. Accounting to only about 1% of all cases of breast cancer. The skin of the nipple and areola often appears crusted, scaly, and red, with areas of bleeding or oozing. The woman may notice burning or itching.
Mucinous carcinoma known as colloid carcinoma, a rare type of invasive breast cancer is formed by mucus-producing cancer cells.
Tubular carcinoma is another special type of invasive ductal breast carcinoma. They are called tubular because of the way the cells are arranged when seen under the microscope. Tubular carcinomas account for about 2% of all breast cancers.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (adenocystic carcinoma). These cancers have both glandular (adenoid) and cylinder-like (cystic) features when seen under the microscope. They make up less than 1% of breast cancers.
Papillary carcinoma these cancers tend to be arranged in small, finger-like projections when viewed under the microscope. These tumors can be separated into non-invasive and invasive types. Make up no more than 1% or 2% of all breast cancers.
Phyllodes tumor very rare breast tumor develops in the stroma (connective tissue) of the breast, in contrast to carcinomas, which develop in the ducts or lobules. Other names for these tumors include phylloides tumor and cystosarcoma phyllodes.
Angiosarcoma a form of cancer that starts from cells that line blood vessels or lymph vessels. It rarely occurs in the breasts. When it does, it usually develops as a complication of previous radiation treatments. This is an extremely rare complication of breast radiation therapy that can develop about 5 to 10 years after radiation.
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