Women's Health Institute/Breast Center/Basic Breast Cancer Facts
Basic Breast Cancer Facts
- One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
- Male breast cancer can occur at any age, but is most common in older men.
- Breast cancer is caused by an uncontrolled growth of
breast cells.
- Often there are no symptoms of breast cancer, but the first sign is typically a lump or abnormality in the breast.
- Symptoms can include breast pain, nipple discharge other than breast milk, a lump under the arm, swelling of all or part of the breast, or skin irritation.
- The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are age, gender, and medical or family history.
- Simple risk factors for breast cancer that can be controlled are diet, weight, exercise, stress and anxiety.
Need to Know: Mammography Recommended Yearly
Let’s clear up some confusing information out there surrounding mammography. Here are some facts:
- The American Cancer Society and the Breast Centers at St Joseph and St Mary’s recommends women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in
good health.
- Approximately 60 percent of eligible insured women are receiving their annual screening mammograms. That means 40 percent are not getting their
annual screenings.
- Lack of age appropriate breast screening has resulted in breast cancer being detected at a later, more
advanced stage.
- Screening programs have successfully reduced mortality rates over the last six decades.
- Annual screening mammograms can detect breast cancer at an early stage.
- Ninety-five percent of early stage breast cancers are considered curable.
- This mortality improvement counts as a remarkable public health achievement.
Mammography is still the best screening tool used today to find breast cancer. “The technology used in mammography has advanced significantly over the past few years,” says Richard Kuckelman, MD, radiologist with the Breast Centers at St. Joseph and St. Mary’s Medical Centers. “And while mammography can miss some cancers, with digital mammography and computer-aided detection (CAD) systems, the chances are better than ever that breast cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage and treated successfully.”
If you are one of these women who has put off getting your mammogram, the Breast Centers at St. Joseph and St. Mary’s offer walk-in appointments and extended hours. For information, call 816-943-3022 at St. Joseph or 816-655-5767 at St. Mary’s.