The American Cancer Society presents the following warning signs of
breast cancer:
• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle or lasts one month in non-menstruating women.
• A mass or lump which may feel as small as a pea.
• A change in the size, shape or contour of the breast.
• A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple.
• A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple; it could be dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed.
• Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple.
• An area appears distinctly different from any other area on either breast.
• A marble-like hardened area under the skin.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
What is Your Individual Risk?
All women should talk with their physicians about their individual risk for developing breast cancer. For those of you with daughter or granddaughters, this conversation should occur early in life—in their twenties. As we age we should update our health histories, especially if a mother or sister develops breast cancer, or if you have any risk factors for breast cancer from the list in the last posting. A current medical history helps your physician to tell how often you should be screened for breast cancer. The guidelines that are listed in the following, What Can I do to Reduce My Risk section are for women determined by their physician as at average risk. Women who are at high risk may receive different guidelines from their doctors.
Who is at Risk for Getting Breast Cancer?
Scientists still do not know what causes breast cancer, but we do know that certain factors may put a woman at higher risk of developing it. A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of getting a disease. Different cancers have different risk factors. Having a cancer risk factor or even several of them does not necessarily mean that you will get cancer. Some women with one or more breast cancer risk factor never develop it. However, every woman is at some risk for breast cancer as simply being a woman and growing older puts us at risk for this disease. As of age 40, the incidence of breast cancer increases as we age, and continues to increase over our lifetime.
Other factors that can increase a woman’s risk include:
• Personal history of breast cancer - if a woman has had cancer in one
breast; she is at increased risk for developing it in the other breast.
• Family history - a woman is at increased risk if her mother, sister, or
daughter has had the disease.
• Cellular irregularities - if a woman has certain changes in her cells which are called atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ, she is at increased risk; your doctor can help you determine if you have this irregularity.
• Genetics - the presence of certain inherited genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 indicate a woman’s predisposition to develop breast cancer. Tests are now available to determine the presence of these genes.
• Women who began menstruation at an early age - under 12 years old--had children later in life- after age 30 - or not at all or experienced late on-set menopause - after age 55 - may be at increased risk
• Weight: women who are overweight - carrying their weight particularly in the waist area - are at higher risk, particularly after menopause.
• Familial Groups - female descendants of Eastern and Central European Jews (also known as Ashkenazi Jews) are at increased risk for breast cancer.
• Alcohol - Use of alcohol is linked to increased risk of developing breast cancer. Compared with non-drinkers, women who consume one alcoholic drink a day have a very small increase in risk; however, those who have 2 to 5 drinks per day have about a 1.5 times the risk for the disease as that of women who drink no alcohol.
• Race - Caucasian women are at a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer than are African-American, Asian, Hispanic or Native American women.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) - long term use of certain female hormones increases the risk of breast cancer. If you have taken such therapy, discuss your risk factors with your physician.
Other factors that can increase a woman’s risk include:
• Personal history of breast cancer - if a woman has had cancer in one
breast; she is at increased risk for developing it in the other breast.
• Family history - a woman is at increased risk if her mother, sister, or
daughter has had the disease.
• Cellular irregularities - if a woman has certain changes in her cells which are called atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ, she is at increased risk; your doctor can help you determine if you have this irregularity.
• Genetics - the presence of certain inherited genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 indicate a woman’s predisposition to develop breast cancer. Tests are now available to determine the presence of these genes.
• Women who began menstruation at an early age - under 12 years old--had children later in life- after age 30 - or not at all or experienced late on-set menopause - after age 55 - may be at increased risk
• Weight: women who are overweight - carrying their weight particularly in the waist area - are at higher risk, particularly after menopause.
• Familial Groups - female descendants of Eastern and Central European Jews (also known as Ashkenazi Jews) are at increased risk for breast cancer.
• Alcohol - Use of alcohol is linked to increased risk of developing breast cancer. Compared with non-drinkers, women who consume one alcoholic drink a day have a very small increase in risk; however, those who have 2 to 5 drinks per day have about a 1.5 times the risk for the disease as that of women who drink no alcohol.
• Race - Caucasian women are at a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer than are African-American, Asian, Hispanic or Native American women.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) - long term use of certain female hormones increases the risk of breast cancer. If you have taken such therapy, discuss your risk factors with your physician.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Chances are everyone has been touched during our lives by someone who has had breast cancer. Perhaps it was a mother, sister, aunt, a close friend or yourself. While signing the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) Reauthorization Act, President Bush addressed how breast cancer has touched his life. Jenna Welch, Laura Bush’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 78. Her disease was diagnosed early, and she received effective treatment and now, she is cancer-free.
Breast cancer is a disease that forms in the tissues of the breast, usually in the ducts or tubes that carry milk to the nipple, and in the lobules or glands that make the milk. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for American women. Over the past 50 years, the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer has increased each year which is likely due to better public education about the disease and better as well as earlier detection.
Today the statistics are that 1 in nearly 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, or 12.3% of US women in their lifetime. This year an estimated 180,000 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Although rare, an estimated 1,500 mean will be part of that number. Our focus today will be on breast cancer in women.
Effective breast cancer testing procedures such as the mammogram diagnose breast cancer before it has a chance to spread to other areas of the body. Such early detection also allows early intervention and is the best way to increase the chance of survival. Early detection also makes treatment more effective. Most breast cancer in the early stages can be effectively treated with surgery that preserves the breast. According to the American Cancer Society, 63% of breast cancers are now discovered at an early stage, before the cancer has spread to other organs or body tissues. The five-year survival rate following treatment for early stage breast cancer is 96%. The American Cancer Society also states that the mortality rate from this disease could decrease by 30% if all women age 50 and older who had a mammogram annually or as often as recommended by their physician.
Particularly vulnerable groups are women who immigrated to the U.S. within the past 10 years as they often under-use breast cancer screening tests. If you are a woman who falls into the category or you know such a woman, we will give the information on a program that will assist you to get the testing you need.
Breast cancer is a disease that forms in the tissues of the breast, usually in the ducts or tubes that carry milk to the nipple, and in the lobules or glands that make the milk. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for American women. Over the past 50 years, the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer has increased each year which is likely due to better public education about the disease and better as well as earlier detection.
Today the statistics are that 1 in nearly 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, or 12.3% of US women in their lifetime. This year an estimated 180,000 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Although rare, an estimated 1,500 mean will be part of that number. Our focus today will be on breast cancer in women.
Effective breast cancer testing procedures such as the mammogram diagnose breast cancer before it has a chance to spread to other areas of the body. Such early detection also allows early intervention and is the best way to increase the chance of survival. Early detection also makes treatment more effective. Most breast cancer in the early stages can be effectively treated with surgery that preserves the breast. According to the American Cancer Society, 63% of breast cancers are now discovered at an early stage, before the cancer has spread to other organs or body tissues. The five-year survival rate following treatment for early stage breast cancer is 96%. The American Cancer Society also states that the mortality rate from this disease could decrease by 30% if all women age 50 and older who had a mammogram annually or as often as recommended by their physician.
Particularly vulnerable groups are women who immigrated to the U.S. within the past 10 years as they often under-use breast cancer screening tests. If you are a woman who falls into the category or you know such a woman, we will give the information on a program that will assist you to get the testing you need.
Recent Articles
Is H1N1 safe?
- Omaha World Herald (9.19.09)
Interim HealthCare will be featured on Lifetime Television's half-hour show "The Balancing Act" this Fall.
- The Balancing Act (9.14.09)
Pregnant Women Need H1N1 Shot.
- Yahoo News (9.28.09)
H1N1 Virus Vaccinations set to Arrive.
- KETV (9.28.09)
Beware of Fake H1N1 Vaccination.
- Yahoo News (10.7.09)
More H1N1 to Arrive.
- Omaha World Herald (10.7.09)
Social Networking and he Elderly.
- CSA Connections (10.12.09)
Close to 5,000 People Worldwide Have Died from H1N1.
- Yahoo News (10.23.09)
- Omaha World Herald (9.19.09)
Interim HealthCare will be featured on Lifetime Television's half-hour show "The Balancing Act" this Fall.
- The Balancing Act (9.14.09)
Pregnant Women Need H1N1 Shot.
- Yahoo News (9.28.09)
H1N1 Virus Vaccinations set to Arrive.
- KETV (9.28.09)
Beware of Fake H1N1 Vaccination.
- Yahoo News (10.7.09)
More H1N1 to Arrive.
- Omaha World Herald (10.7.09)
Social Networking and he Elderly.
- CSA Connections (10.12.09)
Close to 5,000 People Worldwide Have Died from H1N1.
- Yahoo News (10.23.09)
Monday, September 14, 2009
More Articles Related to the Flu and H1N1
Flu season comes early; most are swine variety
Health workers under pressure to get flu shots.Companies claim single-dose swine flu vaccine
Stories from Yahoo New!
Many ask: Is flu shot safe?
H1N1 virus leaves Huskers with queasy thoughtsStories from Omaha World Herald
H1N1 Dominant Flu Virus In Area
Story from KETV (Omaha ABC affiliate stattion)Thursday, September 3, 2009
Health Related Articles from Yahoo
Here are some articles that relate to what people are doing for the upcoming flu season and the proper use of medication
Story from Yahoo News:
This article talks about how the scare of H1N1 has school around the world concerned and contemplating closing. Children are more likely to contract H1N1 and having them in group settings is making administrators concerned.
Story from Yahoo Health:
An article from Yahoo Health reports on a study that people who take aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks could be putting themselves in danger. The study shows what aspirin does to the stomach lining and how it can be harmful.
Story from Yahoo News:
Swine flu fears factor in possible school closures
This article talks about how the scare of H1N1 has school around the world concerned and contemplating closing. Children are more likely to contract H1N1 and having them in group settings is making administrators concerned.
Story from Yahoo Health:
Daily aspirin may do more harm than good: study
An article from Yahoo Health reports on a study that people who take aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks could be putting themselves in danger. The study shows what aspirin does to the stomach lining and how it can be harmful.
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