All women are at risk of getting breast cancer and as you age your risk increases. On average one in seven women will get breast cancer over a 90 year life span.
Breast cancer is a growth or irregular cells within the breast. It is not a one disease, but a group of diseases that can develop in any of the ducts, which carry milk to the nipple.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. In 2006 in Canada alone over 22,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,300 will die of it. It is also estimated that 160 men will be diagnosed with cancer and 45 will die of this disease.
However, some good news from the Canadian Cancer Society recently:-
- The breast cancer mortality rate is at its lowest since 1950.
- Incidence rates of breast cancer have stabilized since 1993
- Mortality rates have declined steadily ae rate of 2.7% annually.
- In 2006 breast cancer mortalityes are expected to decline.
It is important, that women between the aof 50 to 69 have a mammogram every two years. Recent Canadian studies have shown that a high percentage of women are not accessing this service. It is important, if you are in this age group to consult your doctor or call your breast screening program to make an appointment. Other age groups should consult a doctor to discuss their individual breast cancer risks and to determine if and when a mammogram is appropriate for them.
All women are different, so are their breasts. If you experience anything unusual for you, consult your doctor immediately. The most common sign of breast cancer is a lump, mass or thickening of the breast tissue. Some women report sensitivity in this area. Other problems may include pain, bleeding or other discharge from the nipple, changes in breast shape, generalized swelling of the entire breast, or the irritation or dimpling of the breast skin
Treatments for breast cancer are very individual and before starting on any program of drug therapy it should be discussed with your doctor.
In Canada the best places to go for a mammogram is at the Provincial Screening Centers. A screening mammogram is the quickest, safest and easiest way to find out if there is a problem. At these centers they will also show you how to perform a self breast examination.
For more in depth articles; please look at the following sites also on suite 101:-
· Linda Bily’s “Eight Lesson on Breast Cancer Survival”
· Paul Browns “Cancer Section.”
For information on Mammogram Centers, and assistance in making healthy food choices: www.cbcn.ca (Canada) www.breastcancer.org (USA)
