Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer tops all cancers for women across the globe with more than 1.7 million new breast cancer cases detected worldwide in 2012 alone. Women who live in developed countries such as the United States, England and Australia experience a higher rate of breast cancer incidences. In October 1985, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiated its inaugural health campaign to support research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and a cure for the disease. Today, widespread international communities join in setting aside every October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In the United States, an estimated 246,700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and more than 40,000 die. On average, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes nationwide. The lifetime risk for getting breast cancer is one in eight for U.S. women and one in 1,000 for U.S. men. Breast cancer in men is rare but carries a higher mortality rate primarily because men are less likely to seek medical attention for a breast concern or lump.

“In spite of the death rates, almost 3 million breast cancer survivors are currently alive in the United States,” said Celeste Begley, Community Relations Director at Right at Home Boston and North and Merrimack Valley resident. “To beat breast cancer, prevention through a healthy lifestyle and early detection are key. Our in-home health agency works predominantly with seniors, and many older women think they are immune from breast cancer, but they are not. Age increases breast cancer rates.”

Celeste Begley notes that the average age for U.S women to develop breast cancer is 61, and rates are highest in women over age 70. The median age for breast cancer among U.S. men is 68. As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Celeste recommends a review of the following breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and prevention guidelines.

Breast Cancer Common Risk Factors

Certain known risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer, including the following:

• Genetic Risk Factors
  • Age—Two-thirds of breast cancer develops after age 55.
  • Gender—Women are nearly 100 times more likely than men to develop breast cancer.
  • Race and ethnicity—White women are at a slightly higher risk than African-American women for developing breast cancer. Breast cancer is more common in African-American women under age 45.
  • Family history—Having a parent, sister or child diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer increases a person’s own risk for breast cancer (the risk is even higher if the relative was diagnosed before age 50).
  • Personal breast cancer history—A person with cancer in one breast is at higher risk for future breast cancer in another part of the same breast or in the other breast.
  • Inherited genes—Roughly 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer is connected to hereditary defects or mutations passed from a parent. The most common of these abnormal genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
  • Menstrual and reproductive history—Starting menstruation before age 12 or going into menopause after age 55 increases breast cancer risk. Never giving birth or having a first child in older age are also risk factors.
  • Dense breast tissue—Breasts that have more fibrous and glandular tissue than fatty tissue is considered dense breasts. Women with dense breasts have up to twice the risk for breast cancer.

• Environmental or Lifestyle Risk Factors
  • Physical inactivity—A sedentary lifestyle heightens breast cancer risk.
  • Excess body weight—Being overweight or obese adds to the likelihood of breast cancer.
  • Alcohol—Drinking two to five drinks daily increases the possibility of breast cancer by 1½ times.
  • Birth control—Oral and injectable birth control have shown to elevate the risk level for breast cancer. Once oral contraceptive pills are stopped, the risk appears to return to normal over time.
  • Combined hormone replacement therapy—The use of both estrogen and progesterone hormones after menopause suggests a link to higher breast cancer incidence and the possibility of dying of breast cancer.
  • Chest radiation exposure—Radiation therapy to the chest before age 30 can raise breast cancer occurrence.

As with many types of cancer, adjustments in everyday life habits can help lower breast cancer risk. Growing evidence shows that avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol are significant in preventing breast cancer. Controlling weight through a nutritious diet and regular exercise adds a protective effect. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the less likely she’ll develop breast cancer. Preventing exposure to high doses of radiation and environmental pollutants also lowers breast cancer cases.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Regular mammography screening helps detect breast cancer in an early stage, but not all breast cancers are detected through mammography. The American Cancer Society recommends mammography screening annually after age 40 through age 54. Women age 55 and older can switch to mammograms every other year, but every woman is advised to consult with her physician to determine her individual screening frequency. Warning signs for breast cancer differ among women, but the most common symptoms are:

• A hard knot, lump or thickening of the breast or underarm tissue.
• A change in the size or feel of the breast or nipple.
• Discharge from the nipple.
• Redness, swelling, warmth or darkening of the breast.
• A scaly, itchy rash or sore on the breast or nipple (it may resemble the pitted skin of an orange).
• Puckering or dimpling of breast skin.
• A recent change in the symmetry of the breasts.

Performing monthly breast self-exams can help with earlier detection of a potential problem.

Treatment of Breast Cancer

After breast cancer is diagnosed, the patient’s medical team will determine the disease’s progression and suggest the most effective treatment options. Seeking a second medical opinion may be beneficial. Standard breast cancer treatment includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Breast cancer-targeted therapy uses drugs to block specific cancer cells from growing. Depending on the size and location of the tumor and the effect on nearby lymph nodes, a lumpectomy (removal of the tumor) is advised, and in other cases, women choose to have a mastectomy (removal of part or all of the breast). A federal law passed in 1998 directs health insurance companies to cover the cost of breast reconstruction surgery for breast cancer patients.

“Many breast cancer patients rely on supportive care to manage pain, nausea and other cancer symptoms,” Celeste Begley explained. “Professional in-home care providers help carry the load when cancer patients are going through treatment or recovering from surgery. We ensure our cancer clients are eating well, following the doctor’s directions and staying comfortable and safe in the home. Becoming a cancer survivor is truly a team effort.”

Widespread support for breast cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones is available through local cancer centers and groups such as the American Cancer Society (1-800-ACS-2345). The Susan G. Komen Foundation offers a breast care helpline at 1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) and lists a number of support resources on their website, ww5.komen.org/.

About Right at Home of Boston and North

The Right at Home Boston and North office of Right at Home is a locally owned and operated franchise office of Right at Home, LLC, owners Jay Kenney and Rosaleen Doherty. Right at Home Boston and North serves the communities of Merrimack Valley, North Shore and Boston. They offer in-home companionship and homemaking, personal care, end-of-life care, and skilled nursing care to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently.

For more information, contact Right at Home Boston and North by visiting us on the web at www.rightathomemass.net, by phone:1-978-744-5151 or by email: info@rightathomemass.com.