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Breast Health Fact Sheet

A. How does breast cancer begin?

A small group of abnormal cells, called a tumor, forms in the breast. The abnormal cells grow and invade normal cells. Cells can separate from the tumor and travel through the blood and lymph system to other parts of the body.

B. What are some of the symptoms?

• Swollen or enlarged blood vessels in one breast

• A lump or dent in the breast or armpit

• Abnormal discharge from the nipple (for example: bloody, brown or green liquid)

• Flaking or red, rough skin around the nipple

• Swollen breasts or recent changes in the shape, size, color or contours of the breasts

If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your health care provider. Remember, these symptoms could also be caused by other health problems and may not be cancer.

C. Who is at risk?

• Previous history of cancer (breast, ovary, colon, endometrium)

• Mother or sister with breast cancer (family history)

• 40 years or older

• No pregnancies, or 1st pregnancy after age 30

• Diet high in fat (whole milk, fried foods, lard, fatty meats)

• Benign breast disease ( a growth or lump that was not cancer)

• Have had frequent chest or breast x-rays with heavy radiation

• Started period before 12

• Began menopause after 50

• Overweight

• Studies show that breast cancer may be related to a woman's length of exposure to her own hormones (estrogen and progesterone)

If a woman has had more years with her menstrual cycle (1. She started her period before age 12; and/or 2. she began menopause after age 50) then she will be exposed to more female hormones during her lifetime.

Before menopause, a woman's fat deposits produce 1/3 of her estrogen hormone. If she is overweight, she produces a higher quantity of estrogen.

D. Are breast cancer rates related to ethnic background?

Studies show that women in certain ethnic backgrounds have a higher probability of getting breast cancer. However, these are only studies. Everyone is responsible for their personal health, regardless of the high or low probability in their ethnic group.

Age adjusted Rates per 100,000 women (in order of probability/American Health July/August 1996)

White(European descent) 115.7
Native Hawaiian 105.6
Black (African American) 95.4
Japanese 82.3
Alaska Native 78.9
Filipino 73.1
Hispanic (Latino and Chicano) 69.8
Chinese 55.0
Vietnamese 37.5
American Indian 31.6
Korean 28.5

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in all these groups except Vietnamese women. Their most common cancer is cervical cancer.

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E. What can you do?

It is important to do a Monthly Breast Self-Exam. Every year you should receive a Well-Woman Exam. Your health care provider checks your blood pressure, lungs, blood, and urine. She also examines your pelvis, performs a Pap smear and does a Clinical Breast Exam. Your health care provider also teaches you how to do your Monthly Breast Self-Exam.

F. At what time of the month should you do the Monthly Breast Self Exam?

Do the exam 7-10 days after your menstrual period because many women experience breast tenderness during their period. If you do not have a period anymore, do your exam the 1st of every month.

G. What is a mammogram? Should you get one?

A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of your breast. The x-ray can detect early cancers that a Breast Self-Exam and Clinical Breast Exam cannot find.

The American Cancer Society recommends the following schedule for women:

Between the ages of 35-39: only one time
Ages 40-50: every 1-2 years
Over age 50: every year

H. What are the Pros and Cons of a mammogram?
(From "American Health": December 1996)

Pros

• Earlier diagnosis of fast growing tumors

• Makes women feel more secure

• Establishes a baseline, future mammograms can be compared

Cons

• Accuracy is a problem with dense breast tissue of young women

• False sense of security from mammograms. Breast Self-Exams are ignored

• Multiple biopsies can cause tiny scars, they could appear suspicious in future mammograms

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