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APPEAL FOR EARLY & REGULAR BREAST EXAMINATION
March 8, 2008
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On behalf of the
Provincial Women’s Committee I would like to remind members to be vigilant and
committed to early and regular breast examinations not only in October but
year-round.
This is of special concern to me, as I lost my own mother to
Breast Cancer at age 44.
Breast cancer is the second deadliest cancer in women (second to
lung cancer). Choosing a healthy lifestyle and environment will help reduce the
risk.
Compared to Caucasian women African-American women have a
slightly lower incidence of breast cancer after age 40, they have a slightly
higher incidence rate of breast cancer before age 40. However, African-American
women are more likely to die from breast cancer at every age
Breast cancer is much less common in males; by comparison, the
disease is about 100 times more common among women. Not all breast cancers are
alike - there are different stages of breast cancer based on the size of the
tumor and whether the cancer has spread. Doctors use a physical exam, biopsy,
and other tests to determine what stage the cancer is at.
The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) program
(October) is dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of the early
detection of breast cancer through a nationwide campaign. NBCAM started as a
weeklong campaign in 1985 with 2 founding members. Organizations join forces to
spread the message that early detection of breast cancer followed by prompt
treatment saves lives.
National Cancer Information Center
The National Cancer Information Center (NCIC): Trained Cancer Information
Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to offer the comfort of
live support and to answer questions about cancer, link callers with resources
in their communities, and provide information on local events. Spanish-speaking
information specialists are available, and callers who speak languages other
than English and Spanish can also be assisted. To reach the NCIC, call
1-800-ACS-2345. (American Cancer Society)
Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and
continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
Clinical breast exam should be part of a periodic health exam,
about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40
and over.
Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any
breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam is an
option for women starting in their 20s.
Women at high risk should get an MRI and a mammogram every year.
Women at moderately increased risk should talk with their doctors about the
benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram.
Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast
cancer is less than 15%.
You can help in the fight against Breast cancer by participating
in the Run For Cure, or being a volunteer, or donating. We want our governments
to make the eradication of cancer one of its top priorities!!
Cindy Haynes,
Chair, Provincial Women’s Committee |
