Amberheart Breast Cancer Foundation fighting breast cancer through eduction and awareness

AMBERHEART

BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

General Information

Although breast cancer prophylaxis, including monthly breast self-examination, yearly clinical breast examination and regular screening mammography, can not prevent breast cancer development, the cause of which is unknown, it may detect breast cancer in early, metastases free stages, while the tumour is small enough to be successfully treated.

Although breast cancer in women under 35 years of age is rare, and its incidence increases after 50, no one can give you a guarantee that you will not find yourself among those who are affected by it, so arm yourself with a tool that may help you survive.

Facts

Each year, worldwide, there are about one million new cases of breast cancer and around five hundred thousand women die from it.
The lifetime risk (from birth to death) of developing breast cancer for a woman in United States is one out eight, in Canada - one out in nine.
Eighty percent of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
Cancer is the leading cause of death among women ages 40 to 79 and of those women, who have cancer; breast cancer is the main killer at ages 20 to 49 years, and lung cancer ranks first at age 50 years and older.
Breast cancer continues to lead in incidence among women, with more than twice as many new cases as lung cancer; however lung cancer will continue as the leading cause of cancer death in 2007 among women living in North America.
In 2007 year an estimated 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States and additional carcinoma in situ (CIS) - a noninvasive and earliest form of breast cancer, accounts for about 62,030 new cases each year. In Canada over 22,300 women will be diagnosed of breast cancer
Breast cancer also occurs in men. An estimated 2,030 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in this year in US and 170 in Canada
In 2007, about 40,460 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in the United States. In Canada this year 5300 women and 50 men will die from it.
Women living in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world.
More than 95 percent of women whose breast cancer is found and treated in the early stage have a chance of surviving. At this time there are slightly over 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. In Canada 1.0% of the female population are survivors of breast cancer, diagnosed within the previous 15 years.

Sources:

Jemal A, et al. Cancer Statistics, 2007. CA Cancer J Clin 2007; 57:43-66

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2007. Atlanta, GA, 2007.
Canadian Cancer Society - Canadaian Cancer statistic 2007

Risk Factors

Risk for developing breast cancer is individual. It depends on a combination of lifestyle and personal traits known as "risk factors." The following risk factors are strongly related to the disease and can alert you and your physician to the need for careful follow-up:

Personal history of breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer face an increased risk of getting breast cancer in their other breast.
Genetic alterations. Hereditary breast cancer makes up approximately 5% to 10% of all breast cancer. Some altered genes related to breast cancer are more common in certain ethnic groups. Changes in certain genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, and others) increase the risk of breast cancer.
Men who have an altered gene related to breast cancer also have an increased risk of developing this disease.
Tests have been developed that can detect altered genes. These genetic tests are sometimes done for members of families with a high risk of cancer.
A family history of breast cancer, especially in your mother, sister(s), or daughter(s)
Age - in general, the older you are, the greater your risk
First menstrual period at an early age (before age 12)
Late menopause (after age 55)
Hormone replacement therapy for long periods of time
Never having borne a child
Having your first child after age 30
A history of benign breast disease that required biopsies
Other breast conditions: lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia.
Radiation therapy. Women whose breasts were exposed to radiation during radiation therapy before age 30, especially those who were treated with radiation for Hodgkin's disease, are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer
Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram.

Because only a direct relationship between breast cancer development and certain characteristics called risk factors can only be found in a certain percentage of women (20-30 %), debating them is not only common but also important since the idea behind prophylaxis is, in reality, about lowering the level of breast cancer development, especially by controlling those factors which can be influenced.

If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss this concern with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce your risk and can plan a schedule for checkups.

Breast Examination

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“take your health into your hands”

Three hour long professional workshops designed for all women to help improve their knowledge about breast cancer, risk factors, prevention and proper self-examination techniques.

The course is a part of Amberheart's community breast cancer awareness programme.

Cooperating Organizations

updated: September 2007