Information and Activity Ideas COLLEGES AGAINST CANCERSM AND COLLEGIATE MISSION TOOLKIT 2007 American Cancer Society, Inc. 7548.76 Did you know? If detected early, breast cancer can be treated successfully. In 2007, there were an estimated 178,480 new cases of breast cancer in women (2,030 cases in men) and 40,460 women and 450 men lost their lives to this disease. Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for more than one in four cancers diagnosed in women in the United States. The five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer in localized stages is 98 percent. The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 2.4 million women with a history of breast cancer were alive in January 2004. A federally funded government program called the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program allows uninsured and underinsured women access to lifesaving mammograms and treatment services. But currently, there is only enough funding to help one in five eligible women. Basic Facts: Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that develops from a cell in the breast. The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass; however, most breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous). Other physical signs include a generalized swelling of part of the breast (even if a distinct lump is not felt), skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or spontaneous discharge other than breast milk. Early detection of malignant tumors, preferably before symptoms are present, is very important because the cancer can spread if it is not treated in its earliest stages. Please visit www.relayforlife.org. 1.800.ACS.2345 www.cancer.org Hope.Progress.Answers The five-year relative survival rate represents the percentage of patients who live at least five years after diagnosis, whether they are disease-free, in remission, or in treatment (after excluding people who die of other causes from these calculations). It does not imply that five-year survivors have been permanently cured of cancer. Localized cancer represents cancer that, at the time of diagnosis, had not spread to additional sites within the body. Typically, the earlier cancer is detected and diagnosed, the more successful the treatment, thus enhancing the survival rate.
2 Information and Activity Ideas Who is at risk? Being a woman is the greatest risk factor for breast cancer; however, men can develop breast cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Half of all breast cancers are diagnosed in women older than 61. Breast cancer risks are higher among women with a family history of the disease. Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer increases a woman s risk. However, it is important to remember that most women with breast cancer do not have a first-degree relative with the disease. Additional risk factors are: Postmenopausal hormone therapy (especially combined estrogen and progestin therapy) Overweight or obesity, especially weight gained after menopause Use of alcohol, especially two or more drinks daily Physical inactivity Long menstrual history Never having children or having first live birth after age 30 Previous chest radiation to treat a different cancer Prevention and Detection We do not know how to prevent breast cancer, but it is possible to reduce the risk of developing the disease. Some risk factors are not directly modifiable, such as age, race, family history, and reproductive history. However, lifestyle factors such as reducing alcohol use, breast-feeding, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a healthy and balanced diet with at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day are all associated with lower risk. Since we do not know how to prevent breast cancer, the most important action a woman can take is to follow early detection guidelines. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances are for successful treatment. A mammogram is the best detection method because it can often identify breast abnormalities that may be cancerous before physical symptoms develop; however, some cancers that are not apparent on a mammogram may still be felt by a woman or her health care provider. For this reason, the American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for finding breast cancer early: Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.
3 Information and Activity Ideas Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) by a health professional every three years. After age 40, women should have CBE every year. Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast changes promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-examination (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. What can I do? I can make a personal commitment to learn about breast cancer screening options and guidelines. I can remind a family member older than 40 to make a mammogram appointment. I can request a mammogram reminder email from the American Cancer Society by visiting www.cancer.org/mammogramreminder. I can learn about Reach to Recovery, a peer-to-peer support program for those facing breast cancer. I can share information with my peers or a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer, or I can become a Reach to Recovery volunteer if I have a history of breast cancer. I can take action to increase funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) by visiting www.acscan.org/makingstrides. I can host a Health Break. Health Break kits are a tool available to help you increase awareness of breast cancer prevention and screening information at work or with social clubs or organizations. I can share my breast cancer story or the story of a close relative. Offer to be a guest speaker and share the story at a team captain meeting, kickoff, or on the day of Relay For Life. I can raise awareness of breast cancer through Relay For Life. Include information about breast cancer in newsletters, at team and committee meetings, and in feature stories. Consider a breast cancer and Relay For Life display in dorms, classroom buildings, the gym, the cafeteria, or the library. Teams or committee members could donate one of the American Cancer Society books about breast cancer and treatment to a local library.
4 Information and Activity Ideas Activities for a Relay For Life or Colleges Against Cancer Meeting: 1. Example Activity: Ask if anyone knows the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, then share this fact: This year, approximately 178,480 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (stages I to IV), and approximately 40,460 women will die from breast cancer. Ask how many men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, then share this fact: Men can get breast cancer, although this is very rare. An estimated 2,030 cases will be diagnosed in men this year, and 450 will die of the disease. State the following important facts: Numerous studies have shown that early detection of breast cancer saves lives and increases treatment options. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98 percent among individuals whose cancer has not spread beyond the breast at the time of diagnosis. According to the most recent data, death rates from breast cancer have steadily decreased in women since 1990, with larger decreases in women younger than 50 (a decrease of 3.3 percent per year) than in those 50 years and older (2.0 percent per year). These decreases are due to increased awareness, earlier detection through screening, and improved treatment. A federally funded government program called the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program allows uninsured and underinsured women access to lifesaving mammograms and treatment services. But currently there is only enough funding to help one in five eligible women. Suggested materials to distribute (Many of these are available in Spanish. Please work with your staff partner to determine materials): ABC s of Breast Health brochure or bookmark 3416.01 Five Things to Tell Your Friends About brochure 5013.00 Information kit (includes magnet) 5011.00 Mammogram reminder magnet 5011.01 Mammogram email reminder accessible via www.cancer.org/mammogramreminder Breast cancer awareness insert with postcards 5011.02 Breast cancer petition from www.acscan.org/makingstrides
5 Information and Activity Ideas 2. Reach to Recovery: Ask if anyone has ever heard of Reach to Recovery. Explain Reach to Recovery by stating the following: Few things can comfort a woman who has received a diagnosis of breast cancer like a fellow survivor. With information and inspiration, our Reach to Recovery volunteers ease patients from fear to courage, from despair to hope. Ask a Reach to Recovery volunteer to speak about their experience (two to three minutes). Share the following: Reach to Recovery is just one of the programs that the American Cancer Society offers to support breast cancer survivors. Funding for this essential program comes through money raised at events such as Relay For Life. Work with your staff partner to pass out materials such as the Reach to Recovery brochure. 3. Ask a breast cancer survivor to speak about their cancer journey and Relay For Life experience. (three to four minutes) 4. Create a breast cancer information quiz. Give everyone three minutes to complete the quiz. Go over answers and give a prize to the person who gets the most correct. At Relay For Life: Tools and activities (Please work with your staff partner to determine materials and activities.): Use track signs promoting breast cancer facts and figures. Use track signs promoting all breast cancer support programs and services. Use track signs promoting www.cancer.org/breastcancer and the email mammogram reminder. Include breast cancer messaging in your stage announcements. Play breast health bingo. Have a pink pajama lap at midnight. Print copies of the breast cancer petition from www.acscan.org/makingstrides and invite people to sign it.
6 Information and Activity Ideas ACTIVITY IDEAS FROM OUR COLLEGES AGAINST CANCER (CAC) CAMPUSES Many thanks to all the CAC chapters who submitted these ideas! Paint the Campus Pink Week in October **Please remember: Please do not use the phrase Think Pink as it s owned by another organization. Instead use, Paint the Campus Pink! Host an information table and bake sale in the quad on campus. Distribute risk factor information and information on self-exams. For a donation, students receive a breast cancer t-shirt. During the month of October, set up tables in a central location two or three days a week with pamphlets and brochures on breast cancer. Ask students to fill out a pink link (a paper link) in honor or in memory of someone who has breast cancer and add it to a building-wide chain. Encourage students to participate in their local Making Strides Against event. Outside of a school student center, create a large display with hundreds of helium-filled pink balloons with mammogram and breast cancer facts. Give each participant a balloon to remind them to tell their moms, aunts, grandmothers, and friends to get a mammogram. Invite your college radio station to play music and offer a refreshment table with pink iced cookies, pink lemonade, and other snacks. Ask local businesses to put a ribbon of pink paper in the bottom of their front windows. Feature the businesses that participated on a flier and ask people to patronize these businesses. Set up a pink pinwheel display on the campus green. People can buy pinwheels for $1 and dedicate them to survivors. Place the pinwheels in the ground. Have pink decorations, food, drinks, and a breast cancer survivor speaker at your CAC chapter or Relay meeting. The member wearing the most pink wins a prize. Host an all pink breast cancer survivor reception and invite breast cancer survivors and students. Have pink everything cake, cookies, punch, napkins, etc. During your Paint the Campus Pink week, cut up poster board into postcard-size pieces and allow students to write letters home. These postcards will remind the women in the students lives to get their mammograms and tell them they love them. Once the postcards are created, mail them out. Host an all pink day on campus ask people to wear pink to show their support! Have a breast cancer buffet as a free evening event on campus. Ask a breast cancer survivor to speak, honor breast cancer survivors, and remember those who we lost to breast cancer by decorating the room with pink paper hearts that bear the names of those who have been touched by breast cancer. Have a performance from an a capella group, serve pink desserts, and have breast cancer facts and information available.