Breast Cancer. Let’s Start With the Good News!

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Any cancer diagnosis can be frightening, but breast cancer can be especially unsettling. The good news is that advances in early detection and treatment are changing the outlook for many people with the disease.

About one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women, other than skin cancers. Although rare, men can develop breast cancer, too, with nearly 3,000 American men expected to be diagnosed this year.

Breast cancer death rates have declined steadily over the past two decades, driven by improvements in screening and early detection, greater awareness and significant advances in treatment. Today, more than 4.3 million people in the United States are living with a history of breast cancer — a testament to how far diagnosis and treatment have come.

Breast cancer is not one disease. It has many subtypes, each with different characteristics and treatment approaches. Advances in genetic testing, immunotherapy and targeted therapies are transforming how it is diagnosed and treated.

So, what is breast cancer?
Breast cancer starts when healthy cells in the breast change and begin to grow out of control. A buildup of these cells can form a mass of tissue called a lump, growth or tumor. Cancer cells can enter the blood or lymphatic system and spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. Breast cancer can develop in one or both breasts and can begin in different areas of the breast.

What are the risk factors, and who is most at risk?
While researchers don’t know exactly what causes every case of breast cancer, being born female and getting older are the strongest risk factors. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 13% of women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.

Having a first-degree relative — such as a mother, sister or daughter — with breast cancer can nearly double a woman’s risk. If you have a family history of breast or other cancers, talk with your doctor about whether genetic counseling or testing may be appropriate.

Genes, lifestyle and environment all influence cancer risk. Some factors, such as obesity and alcohol use, can be modified through healthy lifestyle choices, while others — including age and inherited genetic changes — cannot.

Early detection can be a lifesaver!
Many women with breast cancer have no symptoms, which is why regular screening is important. Screening can detect cancer before symptoms appear, when it is often easier to treat.

Finding cancer before it has spread (metastasized) generally provides more treatment options and better outcomes.

When breast cancer is diagnosed while still localized to the breast, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%, according to the American Cancer Society. About 61% of breast cancers are diagnosed at this stage.

Know your breast cancer screening schedule
Mammograms, which use low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast, are the best screening test available for detecting breast cancer early.
An abnormal mammogram does not necessarily mean cancer is present, but additional imaging or other follow-up tests may be needed to determine the cause of a change.

For women at average risk of breast cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends these general screening guidelines:

Ages 40 to 44: Women have the option to begin yearly mammograms.
Ages 45 to 54: Yearly mammograms are recommended.
Age 55 and older: Mammograms every two years, or the option to continue yearly screening.

*The American Cancer Society recommends that women continue screening as long as their overall health is good and they have a life expectancy of 10 years or longer.

Mammograms are not routinely recommended for men. However, men can develop breast cancer, and any new lump, swelling or other breast change should be evaluated by a health care provider.

Knowing your breasts — how they normally look and feel — can help you recognize changes that may need attention. If you notice something new or unusual, don’t ignore it; talk with your health care provider. And stay up to date with recommended screenings. Early detection can make a meaningful difference.

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Institute, LLC: (FLCancer.com)

Founded in 1984, FCS has built a national reputation for excellence that is reflected in exceptional and compassionate patient care, driven by innovative clinical research, cutting-edge technologies and advanced treatments, including targeted therapies, genomic-based treatment and immunotherapy. Our highest values are embodied by our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians, clinicians and staff.

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