v. # Breast Cancer Update Monita Soni, MD, FCAP-President, PrimePath, PC Decatur, AL CAP Spokesperson November 2010

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about one in 8 (12 percent) In 2010, more than 250,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States More than 50,000 of these new cases will be the earliest form of breast cancer The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman's death is about one in 35 (about three percent) 2 © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved.

The biggest risk factors are being a woman and aging Other risk factors include: Family history Personal history of breast cancer History of breast biopsy Early onset and late end of menstrual periods History of radiation treatment All women are at risk for breast cancer © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 3

Lumps Swelling skin on breast or underarm Breast nipple changes Inverted Rash Skin texture changes Discharge (other than breast milk) Depression in area of breast surface Breast cancer si gns can include: © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 4

More breast cancer facts… In 2010, nearly 40,000 women will die from breast cancer in the United States However, when breast cancer is diagnosed in the earliest, localized stage, the five-year survival rate is close to 100 percent. © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 5

Breast cancer screening saves lives Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990 The larger decreases have been in women younger than 50 These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and regular mammograms, as well as increased awareness and improvements in treatment © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 6

Recent CDC reports confirm that breast cancer screening tests like mammograms do save lives. © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 7 If even more women get tested for breast cancer this year, thousands of more lives could be saved

“As a physician who specializes in pathology, I know that mammograms can detect breast cancer early, when it is easiest to treat. I strongly encourage women age 40 and older to have a screening mammogram annually.” This simple test could save your life!! © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 8 Pathologists examine cells, tissues, bodily fluids to identify/diagnose breast cancer

To help women remember to schedule a mammogram, CAP developed a free website, MyHealthTestReminder.org Women who visit MyHealthTestReminder.org can chose the day they would like to receive an reminding them to call their primary health care provider to schedule their next mammogram appointment. © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 9

The College of American Pathologists has developed a patient information Web site, MyBiopsy.org, to help women and their families better understand the disease Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a frightening experience © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 10

Information on more than 40 different cancers and cancer-related conditions Survivor stories Glossary of key medical terms Pictures of diseased versus normal cells Tips on how to read your pathology report MyBiopsy.orgMyBiopsy.org …a source for patient information © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 11

Mammograms can help detect cancer before a woman can feel a lump in a self-exam, as well as cancers too small to feel during a clinical breast exam Eight out of ten breast lumps are not cancerous. But if you do find a lump, call your doctor to schedule an appointment Remember: early detection saves lives!! © 2010 College of American Pathologists. All rights reserved. 12 Learn more!! Visit