AU Newsletter
"Your Source for Help and Hope"
October 2004
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Facts about breast cancer...
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death, among women in the U.S. However, eight out of ten breast lumps are benign (not cancerous).
- Breast Cancer can also strike men, although cancer of the male breast accounts for only 0.22% of all diagnosed breast cancers.
- Three easy ways to cut down on your risk of breast cancer are: maintain a healthy weight, limit your alcohol intake to one drink per day, and eat at least three servings of vegetables per day.
What Can You Do?
- If you are in your 40's or older, get a mammogram on a regular basis, every 1 to 2 years.
- Talk with your doctor or nurse about planning your personal schedule for screening mammograms and breast exams.
- Gather as much information as you can about your family history of cancer, breast cancer, and screening mammograms.
- Call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service for more information about breast cancer and mammograms at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). People with TTY equipment, dial 1-800-332-8615.
- For the latest information on cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute's CancerNet website.
Five Things to Tell Your Friends about breast cancer
(Provided by YourMedicalSource.com. Tell your friends, your family - any women you care about. You could save a life.)
- All women are at risk for breast cancer - even those who have no family history of the disease.
- The two greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and growing older.
- Survival rates are high for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, when the cancer is small and has not spread. Get annual mammograms beginning at age 40, and start regular breast exams by your doctor and monthly breast self-exams at age 20.
- Smart strategies to reduce your risk of cancer include regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake.
- Through early detection and improved treatment, more women than ever are beating breast cancer.