FPS staff report
October 13, 2009
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in October.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is encouraging women to take charge of their personal breast health so they stay well and reduce their risk of breast cancer.
The Society reminds women age 40 and older about the importance of getting a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year to find breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. In addition, the Society recommends that women ages 20 to 39 receive a clinical breast exam once every three years. The ACS also recommends magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for certain women at high risk. Women should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram.
Studies clearly show that early detection of breast cancer through mammography greatly improves treatment options, the chances for successful treatment and survival. Early-stage breast cancer typically produces no symptoms when the tumor is small and most treatable, so it’s important that women follow recommended guidelines for finding breast cancer before symptoms develop. On average, mammography will detect about 80 to 90 percent of breast cancers in women without symptoms. Breast cancer survival rates are significantly higher when the cancer has not spread.
“As the official sponsor of birthdays, the American Cancer Society wants women to see the benefits of taking care of themselves,” said Al Stabilito, Northeast Ohio Public Relations Director of the ACS. “Women should assume responsibility of their breast health, so they can fight breast cancer and save lives. More than 2.2 million breast cancer survivors will celebrate a birthday this year, thanks to early detection and improved treatment.”
Women can reduce their risk of breast cancer by taking additional steps to stay well by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet and engaging in physical activity 45 to 60 minutes for five or more days each week. Also, limiting alcohol consumption can reduce breast cancer risk. One or more alcoholic beverages a day may increase the risk.
It is estimated that 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. in 2009. About 40,610 deaths are expected.
The American Cancer Society provides newly diagnosed women and those living with breast cancer with a number of programs and services to help them get well. Among them is Reach to Recovery, which is marking its 40th anniversary in 2009. The program helps newly diagnosed patients cope with their breast cancer experience. Specially trained volunteers provide a measure of comfort, emotional support and help with informed decision-making to new breast cancer patients.
Other programs and resources like the Look Good...Feel Better program help breast cancer patients with the physical side effects of treatment. Hope Lodge offers patients free lodging for those receiving treatment away from home. Also, the Society has information to help make treatment decisions and find access to its programs by calling 1-800-227-2347. Information is available on the web at cancer.org.
Besides helping women stay well and get well, the ACS has a long history of commitment to finding cures for breast cancer. The Society has invested more than $388 million in breast cancer research grants since 1971 and has been an important part of nearly every major breast cancer research breakthrough in the past century. This includes the funding discoveries that led to the development of Tamoxifen and Herceptin and promoting the use of mammography to screen for breast cancer.
The ACS and its partner advocacy organization, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN), continue to fight back against breast cancer by engaging in activities to increase funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). This program provides low-income, uninsured and underinsured women access to mammograms, Pap tests, follow-up care and treatment. Current funding only enables the program to serve one in five eligible women ages 50 to 64 nationwide. For the first time since the program’s inception, fewer women are now being served due to flat funding rates and cuts in funding over the past five years. This lifesaving program cannot be fully realized if eligible women cannot get early detection tests due to insufficient funding.
The American Cancer Society saves lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by encouraging lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by gathering communities worldwide to join the fight.
To learn more or to get help call anytime day or night at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. |
