FACTS:

1. The most common form of cancer among American women. 2. Two-thirds of women with breast cancer will be more than 50 years old. 3. Breast cancer does occur in younger women. Less than 50 years old. 4. It does occur in about 900 men per year. 5. Most treatable and curable when the tumor is small. 6. Average woman has 1 chance in 11 (or about 9 percent) of developing breast cancer during her lifetime. 7. Eight out of 10 breast lumps are not cancerous and are from other causes.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK - Factors Include: Age, Family History of Breast Cancer, Personal History of Breast Cancer.

1. Women at age 50 or more because two-thirds of all breast cancers occur among older women.
2. Women whose mothers or sisters have had breast cancer.
Rate is about twice the average.
Extra screening measures are recommended for these women beginning at age 40 or more.
3. Women who already have had cancer in one breast.
Rate is about three times the average.
Extra screening measures are recommended for these women at age 35 or more.

SCREENING METHODS

1. HISTORY including your age, past disease and health profile, parents' and grandparents' medical profiles and other likely factors.

2. BREAST EXAMINATION by your doctor. May be scheduled at the time of the test for cervical cancer known as the Pap test. The exam may be yearly or more frequent for others depending on risk factors. The breast and armpit are examined. The doctor checks for lumps, observes the appearance for dimpling, scaling or puckering of the skin, a secretion from the nipples or other changes from the usual.

3. MAMMOGRAPHY may be considered in high-risk categories:

• Over age 50 or more
• Age 40 with a family history of breast cancer
• Age 35 or more with a personal history of breast cancer.

Mammography uses x-rays to create an image of the breast on film. It can reveal tumors too small to be felt. Two views of each breast are usually done; one taken from the top and one from the side. Exposure to X-rays should always be carried out with great care to assure theat the lowest possible dose will be absorbed by the body.

Mammograms	Recommendations
Organization	Baseline Age	Follow-up Study age 40 to 49	Follow-up Study age 50
American Cancer Society	between ages 35 and 40	every 1 to 2 years	every year
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists	baseline done in connection with clinical exam between ages 35 to 50	baseline study and exam determines the frequency of mammograms	regular breast exams and mammograms
American College of Radiology	asymptomatic women baseline by age 40	One to two-year intervals	annually

 

A woman's breast sizes and shapes will change over her life time depending on

1. Monthly menstrual cycle
2. Menopause
3. Childbirth
4. Breast-feeding
5. Age
6. Weight change
7. Birth control
8. Hormone pills
9. Nutrition
10. Fibrocystic disease (noncancerous condition)

BREAST SELF EXAMINATION (BSE)

1. Done once per month to become familiar with the usual appearance and feel of her own breasts.
2. Initially do every day for the first month to become familiar with the "geography" of their breast before switching to a monthly schedule.
3. Goal is to detect a change from normal.
4. Best time to do it is two or three days after the end of her period when the breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen.
5. If not menstruating, pick a particular day like the first of the month.
6. If anything unusual is discovered like a lump, discharge, dimpling or puckering - she should see her doctor immediately.
7. Eight out of 10 breast lumps are not cancerous.

For Additional Information, write to:

Office of Cancer Communications
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD 20892

Or call 800-4-CANCER

HOW TO DO A BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION (BSE)

Print out the BSE page and tape it to your medicine cabinet or any convenient location.

Breast self-examination should be done once a month so you become familiar with the usual appearance and feel of your breasts. Familiarity makes it easier to notice any changes in the breasts from one month to another. Early discovery of a change from what is "normal" is the main idea behind BSE. If you menstruate, the best time to do BSE is 2 or 3 days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen. If you no longer menstruate, pick a day, such as the first day of the month, to remind yourself it.