What You Need to Know About. Breast Cancer. At Every Age. Partners for your health.

Transcription

1 What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer At Every Age Partners for your health.

2 Like many diseases, the risk of breast cancer increases as you age. About one out of eight invasive breast cancers develop in women younger than 45, according to the American Cancer Society, and two out of three are found in women 55 and older. You can t control your age or your family history, but there are some steps you can take at each stage of your life to minimize your risk of developing breast cancer. No matter your age, prevention starts by understanding your risk factors.

3 What Are Some Risk Factors? Being Overweight Fat cells make estrogen, the hormone that can cause breast cancers to develop and grow. Women who are overweight, meaning they have a body mass index higher than 25, are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Drinking Women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15 percent higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who don t drink at all. Researchers estimate the risk of breast cancer goes up 10 percent for each additional drink women consume per day. Smoking Not only is smoking linked to higher breast cancer rates, it s also been shown to increase complications from breast cancer treatment. That includes damage to the lungs after radiation, difficulty healing after surgery and higher risk of blood clots when you re taking hormones, such as birth control pills or hormone therapy for treatment. Having children after age 30 or having no children Pregnancies reduce the number of menstrual cycles you have over your lifetime, which is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer. Using oral contraceptives or hormone therapy after menopause These risks can be alleviated by using hormones in lower dosages and only using them as needed. Talk with your doctor about your options. Ethnicity Overall, white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer, but among women under 45, it s more common in African American women. African-American women are also more likely to die of breast cancer. Family History Having a first-degree relative (a mother, sister or daughter) who has had breast cancer approximately doubles your risk of developing it. However, about 85 percent of women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.

4 Do You Have the Breast Cancer Gene? A much smaller percentage of women have a genetic mutation known as BRCA1, which stands for the breast cancer susceptibility gene. This gene is rare, accounting for only about 5 percent of breast cancer cases. According to the National Cancer Institute, you should be screened for this gene if you: Have two first-degree relatives with breast cancer and one of them is under 50 years old Have three or more first-degree or second-degree relatives with breast cancer Have a male relative who has or has had breast cancer Are a Jewish woman of Eastern European origin with any first-degree relative with breast or ovarian cancer Are you at a higher risk for breast cancer? If so, you may need to get your first mammogram before you turn 40. But what if you re only 25? Prevention is important even when you re young. Here s what you need to know about breast cancer at every age.

5 Your 20s At this age, mammograms and screenings may be the furthest thing from your mind. Statistically, the risk is low, but there are several things you should start doing now to decrease your risk of breast cancer later in life. First, consider your family history. Has anyone in your immediate family had breast cancer? Next, think about your lifestyle. Are you living like there s no tomorrow? Drinking heavily several nights a week? Smoking? Does your diet consist mostly of frozen meals and fast food? If so, now is the time to change those habits before they increase your risk and affect your overall health. Examine your breasts once each month. Getting to know your breasts and what they feel like will help you to identify any abnormalities. Have a clinical breast exam at least once every three years and more frequently if you re at a higher risk. This is typically done when you visit the gynecologist for a regular physical. How to Conduct a Breast Self-Exam: Lie down and put your right arm behind your head. Use your three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps in your right breast. Make dime-sized, circular motions to feel the tissue. Use light pressure to feel the tissue closest to the skin, medium pressure to feel a little deeper and firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the chest. Move the breast in an up and down pattern starting at an imaginary line drawn straight down your side from the underarm and moving across the breast to the middle of your chest bone. Repeat these motions on your left breast. Stand in front of a mirror with your hands pressing firmly on your hips. Look for changes in size, shape, contour or dimpling, as well as any red or scaly tissue on your nipples or breast skin. (Information courtesy of the American Cancer Society)

6 Your 30s At this point, your risk is still likely to be low unless you have a family history or other risk factors. Continue to do monthly self exams and have a clinical breast exam at least once every three years. Tell your doctor if you notice any abnormalities or changes. With each passing year, it s a good idea to think about your risk factors and if they have changed. If you are at a higher risk, ask your doctor when you should start getting mammograms or other testing. Other testing can include a breast ultrasound, which allows a closer look at dense breast tissue and enables doctors to examine breast masses, or a ductogram to identify problems within the nipple.

7 Your 40s It s time to give yourself the gift of early detection with your first mammogram. You ll need to get one every year from now on, as well as a clinical breast exam. Here are five tips for making your mammogram go smoothly, courtesy of the American Cancer Society: Schedule your appointment during a time of the month when your breasts are not tender or swollen. Try to avoid scheduling a mammogram the week before your period. Bring a list of other mammograms, biopsies or breast treatments you ve had prior to visiting a new facility, and include dates if you have them. Don t wear deodorant or antiperspirant, which can interfere with the X-ray. Don t assume no news is good news. Call your doctor if you don t hear back within 10 days. Be prepared to describe your medical history and risk factors in detail, and be ready to discuss any symptoms or problems.

8 Your 50s & 60s Because your risk of breast cancer increases with age, it s important to continue to get a clinical breast exam each year and continue to get regular mammograms. Although the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently changed its guidelines to recommend mammograms every two years for women 50-69, most major health organizations still recommend women get them every year. Talk with your doctor about how often you need to get a mammogram based on your risk factors. Continue to check your breasts regularly, and tell your doctor about any changes in the way they look or feel.

9 This guide is intended to give women tips for a healthy heart and healthy life. It was created using information from 70+ The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has found little evidence the benefits of screening women 75 and older outweigh the risks. Talk with your doctor about what s right for you. Make sure you stay healthy by following these four tips: Continue to exercise using a combination of cardio and strength-training activities. Your body loses muscle as you age, causing you to burn fewer calories and store more fat. Keep your bones strong by getting enough calcium Continue to get regular checkups at least once a year Eat a balanced diet that includes more fruits and vegetables, high-fiber grains and healthy sources of protein. Consider taking a multivitamin if you don t already. We know proper screening saves lives, especially among women. At North Ohio Heart and Ohio Medical Group, we have a comprehensive cancer diagnostic program that includes screening and prevention of all types of cancers, including breast cancer. Have you scheduled your next mammogram? CLICK TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

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