WASHINGTON, D.C. – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time for women, and their loved ones, to do everything possible to protect themselves from this terrible disease. As a public health nurse and the sister of a survivor, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that women make this a priority. I implore you to protect yourself with a combination of monthly breast self-exams, yearly clinical breast exams and regular mammograms beginning at age 40.
A woman in this country has a one-in-seven chance of developing breast cancer, and more women are living with this disease than with any other form of cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among California women. This year, it is predicted that nearly 22,000 California women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 4,200 will die from the disease.
Locally, Tri-Counties Cancer Detection Partnership, serving Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, and the Breast Cancer Resource Center can help women find information about the disease and where to get tested and treated.
In 1991, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention began a national breast and cervical cancer detection program for low-income women diagnosed with breast cancer and unable to afford treatment. I fought hard for the passage of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Act of 2000 to provide Medicaid coverage for treatment for these women. I also have championed increased research into breast cancer at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense, especially on environmental causes of this disease.
Fortunately breast cancer death rates are going down. This is probably due to earlier detection and improved treatment, the benefits of research, education and awareness. Women can, and should, take simple steps to continue this trend. For example,
Breast Self-Exam: Every woman should examine her breasts once a month to check for physical changes. It is very important for women to become familiar with their breasts and understand what feels normal. Start early, beginning at age 20.
Clinical Breast Exam: Be sure to ask your health care provider to give you a clinical breast exam each year. The exam consists of checking the breasts for any changes, lumps, or other possible warning signs of breast cancer through physical touch and appearance. You should begin having clinical breast exams in your 20s and 30s.
Mammography: Beginning at age 40, all women should have an annual mammogram. It is a good idea to have a baseline mammogram at age 35. The mammogram is an “x-ray” of the breast and the most effective method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt.
Some other common sense prevention tips include eating a low fat diet, exercising regularly and not smoking. And if you suspect you are at high risk for the disease, talk to your health care provider.
We can all do our part in further reducing the incidence of breast cancer by knowing our risk, getting screened and talking with our family and friends about prevention.
