Breast Cancer Awareness is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. I have several breast cancer survivors in my family and I have several family members who passed away from Breast Cancer. My grandmother, Dorothea Smith, is a Breast Cancer Survivor for over 25 years. She has battled the disease with prayer, chemotherapy, medication, a mastectomy and most of all the support of her loving family. She is not afraid to speak out about the disease and inform others about her survival. She constanly reminds women to do breast exams and to stay on top of their doctor appointments.
My lovely Grandmother and me on my Masters Graduation last year!
Below are some Breast Cancer Facts:
Who gets breast cancer?
Anyone can get breast cancer. For example, did
you know…
• the older a woman, the more likely she is to get
breast cancer?
• white women are more likely to get breast cancer
than women of any other racial or ethnic group?
• African American women are more likely to die
from breast cancer than white women?
• men can get breast cancer, although it is rare?
Less than one of every 100 cases of breast cancer
in the U.S. occurs in men.
• in 2008, it is estimated that men will account for
1,990 cases of breast cancer?1
Anyone can get breast cancer. For example, did
you know…
• the older a woman, the more likely she is to get
breast cancer?
• white women are more likely to get breast cancer
than women of any other racial or ethnic group?
• African American women are more likely to die
from breast cancer than white women?
• men can get breast cancer, although it is rare?
Less than one of every 100 cases of breast cancer
in the U.S. occurs in men.
• in 2008, it is estimated that men will account for
1,990 cases of breast cancer?1
If I am diagnosed with breast cancer, what are my
chances of surviving?
In general, pretty good. The 5-year survival rate for all
women diagnosed with breast cancer is 89 percent.2
This means that 89 out of every 100 women with
breast cancer will survive for at least five years. Most
will live a full life and never have a recurrence. Your
chances of surviving are better if the cancer is detected
early, before it spreads to other parts of your body. In
fact, when breast cancer is found early and confined to
the breast, the 5-year survival rate is 98 percent.2 That
is why it is so important to take steps to detect breast
cancer in its earliest stages.
chances of surviving?
In general, pretty good. The 5-year survival rate for all
women diagnosed with breast cancer is 89 percent.2
This means that 89 out of every 100 women with
breast cancer will survive for at least five years. Most
will live a full life and never have a recurrence. Your
chances of surviving are better if the cancer is detected
early, before it spreads to other parts of your body. In
fact, when breast cancer is found early and confined to
the breast, the 5-year survival rate is 98 percent.2 That
is why it is so important to take steps to detect breast
cancer in its earliest stages.
Are you at risk?
Most women have more than one known risk factor
for developing breast cancer, yet will never get the
disease. Some risk factors are things that you do not
have any control over, while others can be changed
by making changes in your lifestyle (see list below).
What is the most important risk factor? Simply being a
woman. But remember, there is no one cause of breast
cancer. If you are concerned about your breast cancer
risk, discuss your options with your doctor.
Risk factors:
• being a woman
• getting older
• having a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast
cancer genes
• having a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
• having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian
cancer
• having high breast density on a mammogram
• having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia or
carcinoma in situ
• never having children
• having your first child after age 35
• radiation exposure, frequent x-rays in youth
• high bone density
• gaining weight after menopause
• currently or recently using combined estrogen and
progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Most women have more than one known risk factor
for developing breast cancer, yet will never get the
disease. Some risk factors are things that you do not
have any control over, while others can be changed
by making changes in your lifestyle (see list below).
What is the most important risk factor? Simply being a
woman. But remember, there is no one cause of breast
cancer. If you are concerned about your breast cancer
risk, discuss your options with your doctor.
Risk factors:
• being a woman
• getting older
• having a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast
cancer genes
• having a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
• having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian
cancer
• having high breast density on a mammogram
• having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia or
carcinoma in situ
• never having children
• having your first child after age 35
• radiation exposure, frequent x-rays in youth
• high bone density
• gaining weight after menopause
• currently or recently using combined estrogen and
progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
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