October is Breast Cancer

Transcription

1 Wellness News Breast Cancer Awareness Month Volume 3 October 2008 Breast Cancer Awareness Month October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Across the country, health leaders will spread the word about the importance of screening, early detection, and prompt treatment of this deadly disease. And sanofi-aventis is proud to play a part! This newsletter is dedicated to educating women about breast cancer. It includes useful information about: Healthy lifestyle choices Risk factors for developing breast cancer The symptoms of breast cancer Ways to screen for breast cancer Treatment options for breast cancer Web sites for more information and support A world leader in cancer treatment, sanofi-aventis is committed to discovering new ways to help patients with breast cancer. Our scientists are working to develop breakthrough drugs for breast cancer and other cancers, too. Breast cancer statistics Breast cancer is the #2 cause of cancerrelated death among American women. It will cause more than 40,000 deaths this year. The chance of a woman dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35. Only lung cancer claims more lives than breast cancer. This year more than 180,000 women will find out they have breast cancer. Men can develop breast cancer, too. The good news is that deaths from breast cancer are going down from year to year. Modern ways to screen for breast cancer and better ways to treat it are helping. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there are currently about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is the development of abnormal cells in the breast. These cells are very different from normal, healthy cells. They begin to grow out of control and produce more cells that grow into tumors, or growths. The abnormal cells can spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer is not something a woman gets or catches. Breast cancer develops over time, beginning with one tiny, abnormal cell. The danger of a cancerous tumor is that the cancer can break away from the tumor and travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. Breast cancer cells can spread to lymph nodes in the armpit or to blood vessels that carry the cells to the lungs, liver, bones, or other parts of the body. Finding breast cancer Early breast cancer is usually but not always painless. In its very early stages, it is too small to find by feeling the breast. As it grows larger, it feels like a lump or thickening. While breast exams are very important, breast tumors can often be found with a mammogram before a lump can be felt or other signs can be seen. That s why mammograms are so important! The sooner breast cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. Keep reading for more information! This newsletter has a list of the symptoms of breast cancer and ways to get screened. It even gives you the steps for doing a breast self-exam (BSE). Oct. 12 on Look inside for information about Frosted Pink With a Twist

2 Tune in to and join the fight against women s cancers Sunday, October 12, 4 6 p m EST on What You Do Matters Sanofi-aventis is committed to making a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families, and to targeting cancer by attacking it on all fronts. Sanofi-aventis is proud to be a presenting sponsor of Frosted Pink With a Twist This landmark television event and multimedia campaign brings together Olympic gymnastic stars and music legends to raise awareness about women s cancers. Its goal is patient empowerment through education and action. We all need to do our part in the fight against cancer. Mary Lou Retton Co-host and former US and Olympic champion Featuring: Shawn Johnson Celebrity spokesperson, 2007 World Gymnastics Champion, and US Olympic women s gymnastics team leader Shawn Johnson has an emotional connection to the fight against women s cancers because her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Howard Smith/US Press Wire

3 What risk factors affect breast cancer? A risk factor is anything that affects your chances of developing a disease. Having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will definitely develop the disease, but it does mean that you are at greater risk than someone who does not have those risk factors. There are nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors. Non-modifiable risk factors Being a woman is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer Age: The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is about 1 in 8. The chance goes up as a woman gets older About 5% to 10% of all breast cancers are hereditary Family history of breast cancer: Having a close blood relative with breast cancer, like a mother, sister, or daughter, increases one s risk of breast cancer. Having 1 close relative with breast cancer almost doubles a woman s risk; having 2 close relatives with breast cancer increases one s risk 5-fold Personal history of breast cancer: A woman with cancer in one breast has a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast Abnormal breast biopsy results: Some types of benign breast conditions are more closely linked to breast cancer risk than others Risk of breast cancer varies by race. White women are more likely to develop breast cancer than African American women. But African American women are more likely to die from it. American Indian and Alaska Native women have the lowest incidence of breast cancer, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have the lowest mortality rates Early onset of menses (before 12 years of age) or late menopause (after 55 years of age) may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer Lifestyle risk factors Personal behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and diet are examples of modifiable risk factors Environmental factors may prompt and influence cancer development Women who do not have children or have their first pregnancy late in life (at 30 years of age or older) have a slightly higher chance of developing breast cancer. Breast-feeding may slightly lower the risk Use of oral contraceptives may slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer Combined Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy (PHT) is believed to increase the risk of breast cancer Being overweight or obese, especially after menopause, has been found to increase breast cancer risk Breast cancer treatment options Surgery removes the cancer from the breast and lymph nodes, or removes an entire breast with cancer. Usually some normal surrounding tissue is also removed Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop cancer cell growth Hormonal therapy stops the body s production of hormones or blocks their action, and in turn prevents cancer cell growth Targeted therapy includes drugs that target specific cancer cells or parts of cells to stop them from growing Early detection of breast cancer saves thousands of lives each year. For women without symptoms, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends the following guidelines for identifying breast cancer at early stages: Breast Self-Exam (BSE) may help detect changes in the breast, and is important for women starting in their 20s Breast Cancer Screening and Early Detection Clinical Breast Exam (CBE): Women aged 40 and older should get an annual CBE; women in their 20s and 30s should get a CBE every 3 years Mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. Beginning at age 40, women should have a mammogram on a yearly basis Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is more sensitive than a mammogram and is used to screen for breast cancer in women at high risk Breast Ultrasound is used to look more closely at an area of concern previously identified by a mammogram. This technique is used to differentiate between a cyst (fluid-filled sac) and a solid mass, and between benign and cancerous tumors. Breast ultrasounds are useful for women with dense breast tissue

4 Lead a Healthy Lifestyle. Good Choices - Good Health! Remember 4 tips Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains Eat fewer high-fat foods and meats Maintain an active lifestyle and stay fit Drink less alcohol Be physically active Physical activity on a regular basis provides important health benefits. It can help protect from a number of cancers, including breast cancer. Maintain a healthy weight To maintain your current healthy weight, this is how many calories you should eat per day: Inactive lifestyle: Your current weight 13 Active lifestyle: Your current weight 15 To lose weight: To lose 1 pound per week, you need to have a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy body weight by balancing caloric intake with energy expenditure. Studies have shown that regular exercise might reduce a woman s risk of developing breast cancer. The ACS recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 days a week. You may further reduce the risk of breast cancer with 45 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous exercise 5 days a week. Eat healthy foods A well-balanced diet of healthy foods combined with regular physical activity may decrease your cancer risk and improve your overall health. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are rich in cancer-fighting nutrients and antioxidants. In contrast, high-fat diets are associated with increased cancer risk.

5 Steps to Breast Self-Exam 1. Lie down and place your arm behind your head 2. Use the finger pads of your three middle fingers to feel for lumps 3. Feel the breast tissue using a circular motion with your fingertips 4. Use three different levels of pressure to examine breast tissue: a. Light to feel the tissue closest to the skin Tear page off along dotted line What are the common symptoms of breast cancer? C ommon signs of breast cancer include the following: Mass or lump that is painless, hard, and has uneven edges Mass or lump that is tender, soft, and rounded Mass or lump in the underarm area Swelling in the breast Breast pain Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward Nipple discharge other than breast milk Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin Skin irritation or dimpling b. Medium to feel deeper into the breast tissue c. Firm to feel the tissue closest to the chest 5. Move around the breast in an up-and-down pattern starting from the underarm. Move across the breast to the middle of the chest bone 6. Stand in front of the mirror with your hands pressing firmly down on your hips. Examine your breasts visually for any changes in size, shape, or contour, and for any dimpling, redness, or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin 7. Examine each underarm while standing or sitting with your arm slightly raised

6 Your healthcare team Breast cancer specialists often work together as a team to plan your treatment. The specialists you need will vary depending on the location and extent of your cancer. Your team may include: Surgeon: A specialist who operates on patients to remove cancer Radiation oncologist: A specialist who treats cancer with radiation therapy Medical oncologist: A specialist who treats cancer with medication such as hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy Other members of your healthcare team may include: Nurse Nutritionist Social worker General practitioner Therapist or psychologist Online Patient Support and Resources For more information about breast cancer, treatment, and support, please contact the organizations and Web sites listed below. American Cancer Society Breast cancer.org Breast Cancer Network of Strength CancerCare HOPE (4673) Frosted Pink With a Twist Living Beyond Breast Cancer National Breast Cancer Coalition Susan G. Komen for the Cure GO-KOMEN ( ) US.DOC /08 Printed in U.S.A sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC