Heather BrewsterBreast Cancer - 5 Year

Survivor

Cancer Comparison

Breast Cancer• Common:

– 2.6M women have been diagnosed– 290K new cases in 2011– 40K women died in 2011– 450 men died in 2011

Testicular Cancer• Rare

− 8K men diagnosed in 2011

− 350 men die each year

Source: American Cancer Society

• 61 is the median age of diagnosis (1 in 8 women = 12%)

50 years ago the rate was 7%

• 5 year survival rate is 89%N.J. has the highest death rate among

Caucasian women in the country.

• Most common form of cancer in men ages 15 to 40 (1 in 270 men = <1%)

• 5 year survival rate of 95%

2.6M women diagnosed

Hannah Powell-AuslamAGE: 10

1 in 8 womenRisk of diagnosis increases with age:

From age 20-29 . . . . . 1 out of 1,681 (0.06%)From age 30-39 . . . . . . 1 out of 232 (0.4%)From age 40-49 . . . . . . 1 out of 69 ( 1%)From age 50-59 . . . . . . 1 out of 42 ( 2%)From age 60-85 . . . . . . 1 out of 28 ( 3%)Lifetime risk . . . . . . . . . .1 out of 8 (12%)

Source: American Cancer Society288,130

Estimated New Female Breast Cancer by Age, US, 2011Age In Situ Invasive DeathsUnder 40 1,780 11,330 1,16040 - 49 14,240 50,430 5,24050 - 64 23,360 81,970 11,62065 and older 20,050 98,080 22,660All ages 57,650 230,480 39,520

My Story• 3 Mammograms:

– Age 22 – Planned Parenthood would not prescribe birth control without a mammogram because the Doctor felt something. Diagnosis: fibrocystic breasts

– Age 35 – baseline– Age 41 – mammogram after noticing a hardness

• 2 Biopsies: regular and surgical– June 2007: 1 lump and 1 in situ cluster were cancerous

• 4 Surgeries:– July 2007: Removed both breasts (bilateral mastectomy)– Aug. 2007: Implanted Mediport for chemo– Sep. 2008: Removed Mediport and inserted expanders– Nov. 2008: Removed expanders and inserted implants

• 17 months of Treatment:– 5 months of chemo plus 9 months of Herceptin injections

True or False?Most lumps found in breasts are cancerous. FALSE - only 20% are

- 4 types of lumps

Most cancerous lumps are painful.

The finger tips should be used to perform breast self-exams.

Larger breasts have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer patients have to remove their breaststo remove the cancer.

FALSE

FALSE - finger pads are more sensitive

FALSE - lumpectomy

FALSE

If your grandmother had breast cancer, you will get it. FALSE - 40% chance with family history

Anyone can get breast cancer – man, woman, or youth.TRUE - men < 1%

Risk Factors• Female• Age• Genetics – 80% chance• Family History – 40% chance• Menstruation – before 12 or after 55• High breast tissue density

Modifiable Factors:• Pregnancies – none or first full-term after age 30• Alcohol consumption• Physical activity and diet• Breastfeeding decreases risk

Early Detection Saves Lives

Stage5-year Relative

Survival Rate

0 93%

1 88%

2A 81%

2B 74%

3A 67%

3B 41%

4 15%

In Situ (contained)

Invasive, <2cm, no lymph

<2cm + lymph OR>2cm and no lymph

>2cm + lymph OR>5cm and no lymph

Axillary lymphs clumped

In chest wall or skin

Metatstatic(spread to other organs)

1.1cm found in routine mammogram

1.5 cm found in first mammogram

2.1 cm found in regular self- breast exams

3.6 cm found accidentally

Source: American Cancer Society

ScreeningAmerican Cancer Society recommends:

– Clinical breast exams every 3 years starting in their 20s

– Screening mammogram every year after the age of 40

– Optional monthly breast self-exams

• Keys to Breast Self-Exams:– Do them at same time each month– Do them the same way each time– Talk to your doctor about any

changes

Breast Self-Exams

How To Help Others• Be supportive

– Help out with household chores or shopping– Pillows, pillows, pillows for mastectomy patients

• Participate in walks and fundraisers

5K WalksDozens of New Jersey townswww.makingstrides.acsevents.org

3-Day for the Cure – 60 milesPhiladelphia Oct. 14-16, 2011www.the3day.org

Avon 2 Day Walk – 39 mi.NYC Oct. 20-21, 2012www.avonwalk.org

Key Takeaways

• Get to know your breasts thru breast self- exams.

• Be your own advocate and talk to your doctor about any changes.

• Do not panic about a lump.• Early detection saves lives.• Talk to other loved ones about getting their

mammograms.