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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
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Each year,
worldwide, there are about one million new cases of breast cancer and
around five hundred thousand women die from it.
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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.
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Eighty
percent of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the
disease.
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For
women, the increasing probability of developing cancer with each decade
of life is greatest for breast, lung and colorectal cancer.
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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.
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Breast
cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. In
2011, four cancers (breast, lung, colorectal and prostate) will account
for 54% of all cancers diagnosed in Canada.
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In Canada
breast cancer, which represents 28% of cancer cases in women, ranks
second in mortality at 14%.; however lung cancer will continue as the
leading cause of cancer death in 2011 among women living in North
America.
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In 2011
an estimated
230,480
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 57,650 new cases each
year. In 2011 an estimated 23,400 women will be diagnosed of
breast cancer in Canada
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In 2011 an estimated new female breast cancer cases and deaths in the
United States(US,2011statistics)invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed
among 1,780 women under 40 carcinoma in situ (CIS) among 11,330
and 1,160 women are expected to die from breast cancer; under 50,
invasive breast cancer among 14,240 women, carcinoma in situ among
50,430 and approximately 5,240 women die because of it
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Breast
cancer also occurs in men. An estimated 2,140 cases of breast cancer
will be diagnosed in men in this year in US and 190 in Canada
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In 2011,
about
39,520 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in the
United States. In Canada an estimated 5300 women and 55 men will die
from it in 2011
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On
average, every week 448 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast
cancer and 98 will die from it
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Women
living in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the
world.
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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.
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Breast cancer occurs primarily in females 50–69 years of age.
Twenty-eight percent of breast cancer cases will be diagnosed among
women over the age of 69, while 19% will occur in those under age 50.
For breast cancer, survival is significantly worse for those aged 15–39
and 80–99 at diagnosis
compared to all other age groups.
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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females over the age of 20.
Deaths from breast cancer are more frequent than other common cancers
only in women 30–39 years of age.
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The best prognosis for breast cancer (89%) is among those diagnosed
between the ages of 40 and 79; lower relative survival is seen for those
diagnosed at both younger (84%) and older ages (79%).
Sources:
Canadian Cancer Society
Canadian
Cancer Statistics 2011(PDF)
American Cancer Society
Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2011-2012 (PDF)
Cancer Facts & Figures 2011. (PDF).
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:
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Personal
history of breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer face an
increased risk of getting breast cancer in their other breast.
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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.
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A family history of breast cancer, especially in your
mother, sister(s), or daughter(s)
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Age - in general, the older you are, the greater your
risk
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First menstrual period at an early age (before age
12)
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Late menopause
(after age 55)
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Hormone
replacement therapy for long periods of time
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Never having borne a child
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Having your first child after age 30
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A history of benign breast disease that required
biopsies
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Other breast conditions: lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
or atypical hyperplasia.
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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
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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.
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