Quick Facts: Breast Cancer

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. In the U.S., one in 8 women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. In Rhode Island, women are even more likely to develop the disease. Also, it is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women, second only to lung cancer.

Breast cancer forms in the tissue of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). About 80% of breast cancer cases are of this type. Lobular carcinoma accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancers. Both types of cancer can spread to other areas of the breast, if the cancer is not found early. First, it spreads to the lymph nodes, and then it can metastasize or spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain or lungs.

If Diagnosed

Breast cancer is curable, but it depends largely on how early it is detected. For cancers detected early, there is a 90% success rate.

Breast cancer is often treated with some form of surgery. In addition, many women receive special x-rays called radiation therapy to kill or shrink cancer cells; drugs to kill cancer cells called chemotherapy; and/or hormone therapy.

Your doctor will describe the treatment option(s) right for you.

What can I do?

Screening: Breast cancer can be treated more successfully if it is caught early. Regular breast screenings and early detection are important for survival. Recommended are the following:

• Mammograms: Every year for women 40 years and older. Women at increased risk should have mammograms before 40.
  
• Clinical Breast Exams: Done by a health professional every 3 years after age 20 and yearly after age 40.
  
• Breast Self-Exams: Every month for all women over age 20.
  

Prevention

It is still unclear what causes breast cancer. However, you may reduce your risk for breast cancer through:

• Regular exercise
  
• Low fat, high fiber diet
  
• Not smoking
  
• Moderate, if any, consumption of alcohol
  

Risk factors

• Age: Women are at higher risk for breast cancer after age 40. Eight out of 10 breast cancers occur in women over age 50.
  
• Personal history of breast cancer
  
• Family history of breast cancer
  
• Having a baby after age 30
  
• Getting your first period before age 12
  
• Starting menopause after age 50
  
• Heavy alcohol consumption
  
• Obesity and high-fat diets
  

Symptoms

Often there are no symptoms associated with breast cancer. This is why screening is so important. However, you may experience a few of the below symptoms. If you do, consult your doctor - immediately.

• A lump in your breast(s)
  
• Change in the size or shape of your breast(s)
  
• Nipple discharge or tenderness
  
• Change in the way the skin of the breast and nipple feels or looks
  

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