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| How common is breast cancer? |
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| What are my odds of getting breast cancer? |
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| What increases my risk of getting breast cancer? |
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| Can I do anything to increase my chances of finding
breast cancer early? |
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| What should I do if I feel a lump that seems to
be changing or new? |
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| Can young or pregnant women get breast cancer? |
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| How do I apply for a free mammogram? |
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| How common is breast cancer? |
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Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women
in the US, second only to skin cancer.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death
in women, second only to lung cancer.
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| What are my odds of getting breast cancer? |
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The chance of an average woman having invasive breast cancer
in her lifetime is 1 in 8. The chance of a woman dying of breast
cancer in her life is 1 in 35. (This shows the excellent cure
rates with current therapy)
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| What increases my risk of getting breast cancer? |
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- Increasing age (2/3 women diagnosed are age 55 or older)
- Strong family history of breast cancer, or presence
of BRCA gene
- Early (young age) at first menstrual
period, and/or late (older age) for menopause
- Over age 30
when first child is born, or not having any children
- Not breastfeeding
- Long term birth control pill use
- Long term post menopausal
hormone therapy
- Heavy alcohol use
- Lack of exercise, obesity
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| Can I do anything to increase my chances of finding
breast cancer early? |
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Screening finds cancer early, when chances of
cure are greater, with less aggressive therapy
- Yearly mammograms beginning age 40
- Clinical breast exam
by physician every 3 years in 20s and 30s, and yearly over
age 40
- Self breast exams should be done monthly by all
women of all ages
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| What should I do if I feel a lump that seems to
be changing or new? |
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Any lump that is new or changing needs
an exam by a physician, a mammogram
and an ultrasound |
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| Can young or pregnant women get breast cancer? |
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Younger, pregnant or breast feeding women CAN get
breast cancer, and these tend to be more aggressive than most
so don't ignore the signs:
- A new palpable lump
- Skin redness or swelling
- Nipple retraction
- Skin dimpling
- Bloody/clear nipple discharge (particularly
if only on one side)
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| How do I apply for a free mammogram? |
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| Click here to fill out the registration form to
apply for your free mammogram. Mammograms will be distributed
in October 2010 to the 50 women we feel are in the most need. |
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