The American Cancer Society is encouraging women to choose to put their personal breast health first to stay well and reduce their risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in California, regardless of race/ethnicity and an estimated 22,385 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among Californians in 2010.
“As the Official Sponsor of Birthdays, the American Cancer Society wants women to see the real tangible benefits of choosing to put their health first,†said Dr. Christy Russell, American Cancer Society volunteer and director of the University of Southern California Norris Breast Center. “Women can take action and put their personal breast health first to stay well, fight breast cancer and save lives. More than 1 million California cancer survivors will celebrate a birthday this year thanks to early detection and improved treatment.â€
The Society reminds women 40 and older about the importance of getting a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year to find breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage, and recommends that women ages 20 to 39 receive a clinical breast exam once every three years.
The Society also recommends magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for certain women at high risk. Women at moderate risk should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram.
While mammography is not perfect, getting a high-quality mammogram is currently the most effective way to detect cancer early because it can identify breast cancer before physical symptoms develop, when the disease is most treatable. Early-stage breast cancer typically produces no symptoms when the tumor is small and most treatable, so it is important that women follow recommended guidelines for finding breast cancer before symptoms develop. On average, mammography will detect about 80 to 90 percent of breast cancers in women without symptoms. Breast cancer survival rates are significantly higher when the cancer has not spread.
In addition to screening, women can reduce their risk of breast cancer by; maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, and engaging in physical activity 45 to 60 minutes on five or more days of the week. Also, limiting alcohol consumption can reduce breast cancer risk: one or more alcoholic beverages a day may increase risk.
But if you are diagnosed with cancer the American Cancer Society is there to help Californians manage the treatment of breast cancer. The Society offers newly diagnosed women and those living with breast cancer a number of programs and services to help them get well. Among these is Reach to Recovery, which helps newly diagnosed patients cope with their breast cancer experience. Other programs and resources, like Look Good…Feel Better, help breast cancer patients manage the physical side effects of treatment while Society sponsored walks called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, allow California communities to come together to raise funds for breast cancer research and breast cancer related patient programs.
In addition to helping women stay well and get well, the American Cancer Society has a long history of commitment to finding cures for breast cancer. In 2010 the Society awarded 31 grants worth more than $14 million to California research institutions to aid in breast cancer research. Nationally, the Society has invested more than $418.7 million in breast cancer research grants since 1971 and has been an important part of nearly every major breast cancer research breakthrough of the past century, including the funding discoveries that led to the development of Tamoxifen and Herceptin, and promoting the use of mammography to screen for breast cancer.
To find out how you can become involved in the Society’s mission of creating a world with more birthdays, to access the latest cancer information or to learn more about free patient services call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
