1. Breast Cancer

2. What is this Disease? Second leading cause of cancer death in women
Malignant (cancerous) tumor
Develops from cells in the breast that are growing abnormally & out of control
Some cells may break away and travel to other parts of the body (metastasis)
When cancer comes back after successful treatment – it is called a recurrence.

3. Breast Cancer Starts Where?
Ductal Carcinoma
Breast milk ducts
Most frequent location
Lobular Carcinoma
Breast milk lobes
Other breast tissues
Fatty & connective tissues
Lymph vessels

4. U.S. Statistics - 2018 New cases Deaths per year
263,620 (women)
2,500 (men)
Deaths per year
40,920 (women)
400 (men)
5-year localized survival rate - 96%
5-year overall survival rate – 86%

5. 2018 263,620 women will be diagnosed this year
40,470 will die from breast cancer this year
Over 3.1 million women who have been treated for breast cancer
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime
1 in 38 will die from breast cancer

6. Am I At Risk? Gender Age Race Family history
100 times more common in women that men
Age
Risk increases with age
77% of women diagnosed are
>50 years of age.
Race
White & African American – higher risk
Family history
1st degree relative double the risk
Most women diagnosed do not have a family history

7. Additional risk factors:
History of non-cancerous breast disease
Starting monthly periods before age 12
Starting menopause after age 55
> 5 years post menopausal estrogen replacement therapy
Never having children
Having first child after age 30
Use of alcohol
Obesity, especially weight gain after menopause
Physical inactivity

8. All of these symptoms require follow up
How Do I Know If I Have It?
Detection of a new lump or mass
Generalized swelling of part of a breast
Skin irritation or dimpling
Nipple pain or retraction
Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
Discharge other than breast milk
All of these symptoms require
follow up

9. What Can And Should I Do? Prevention
Many risk factors are not modifiable
Those related to age and hormones
Lifestyle changes are modifiable
Maintaining a healthy diet and weight
Routine physical activity
Reduce the use of alcohol
Knowledge and awareness
Being aware of your risk factors
Knowing your body
Early detection

10. Early Detection – Best Outcome
Mammograms
Over age 40 – every year
Clinical Breast Exam (CBE)
Age 20 – 39 – every 3 years
Breast Self Exam (BSE)
Know how your breasts normally feel
Over age 20 – every month
Talk to your doctor
If family history present

11. Are There Successful Treatments?
Most successful when treated early
Treatment depends on many factors
Progression of the disease
Patient choices
Surgical interventions
Breast conservation surgery – lumpectomy
mastectomy
Medical intervention
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy
Radiation therapy

12. What Does The Future Hold?
Risk factors
Further investigation re: lifestyle & environmental factors
Genetics
How to use gene testing
Screening
New technology
Hormone Therapy
Investigating use in prevention
Chemotherapy
New drugs and drug combinations

13. How Does Diagnosis Impact Lifestyle?
Social
Changes in appearance and activity tolerance
Physical
Pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties
Psychological
Fear of recurrence, guilt, depression
Impact on loved ones
Financial concerns
Spiritual

14. Who Can Help? Support from family & friends Links for Life
Support group
American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345

15. Who is “Links For Life”? Local Breast Cancer Organization
2 Full & 2 Part time employees
Many, many volunteers
Provides an organization to benefit person affected by breast cancer
Challenges each women in Kern County to be aware of her breast health
Educated the general public, teaching that optimum health and early detection saves lives

16. Links For Life – Lives are being Saved
Raise funds for local programs
Golf Tournament & Gala (Spring)
Paint the Town Pink (October)
Field over 4,200 phone calls from the public
Provide 331 wigs from our wig shop
Provide 24 Bras/Prosthesis
Arrange for needed breast screening for women under who are uninsured or underinsured
Results of these tests:
1 positive cancers detected

17. Other services Support groups Seminars Scholarships Health fairs
Encouragement, support, friendship, & information
Seminars
Community education
Scholarships
Support students who’s guardian has been diagnosed with breast cancer, they have been diagnosed with breast cancer or going into the medical field.
Health fairs

18. Where Can I Receive More Info?
Links for Life
American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS
National Cancer Institute
cancer