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What is breast cancer?
In breast cancer, a cell can divide (reproduce without control), forming a
malignant tumor. This most commonly occurs in the milk duct, but can also occur
in the lobule.
Breast cancer facts
- Lifetime risk for U.S. women is 1 in 8.
- The majority of women who develop breast cancer are over 50.
- Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women
(second only to lung cancer).
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
- Increasing age.
- Having cancer in one breast (may develop in the other breast).
- Late menopause (after age 50).
- Getting your period early in life (before age 12).
- Having your first child after age 30.
- Never having children.
- Family history for breast cancer in an immediate family member (mother,
sister or daughter).
- Taking long-term estrogen replacement therapy.
- Having a breast biopsy show
-atypical ductal hyperplasia or
-lobular carcinoma in situ
How can I protect myself from breast cancer?
- Examine your breasts each month.
- Have a breast exam performed by a healthcare provider at least once a
year.
- Get a mammogram (first mammogram by age 40).
- Know your family history. Consider genetic testing if your history
includes:
-Breast cancer in two or more close relatives (such as a mother and sister).
-Early onset of breast cancer in family members (before age 45).
-History of breast cancer in more than one generation.
-Cancer in both breasts that occurs in one or more family members.
-Frequent occurrences of ovarian cancer.
- Know your Gail score (breast cancer risk number)
- Consider ductal lavage
-if your Gail score is >1.7%
-if you have a history of atypical cells (from a breast biopsy)
-if you have a history of breast cancer
-if you carry the breast cancer gene
-if you have taken hormone replacement therapy for more than 10 years
What is my Gail score?
The Gail score is a number that estimates your 5-year and lifetime risk of
developing breast cancer. This number is calculated using a scientifically
validated method called the Gail model.
The Gail model risk factor number, i.e., the Gail score, is calculated based
on the following risk factors:
Age ________
Race ________
Age at first menses ________
Age at first full-term pregnancy ________
Number of mother, sisters or daughters with breast cancer ________
Number of breast biopsies ________
History of atypical hyperplasia on biopsy ________
Your Gail score is:_________
The 5 year risk number ________
The lifetime risk number ________
Remember, even if you have a low or normal Gail score, always continue
monthly self breast exams, regular mammograms and ongoing breast cancer risk
assessments.
What is ductal lavage?
- 95% of breast cancers develop in the lining of the milk duct system.
- Ductal lavage is a minimally invasive procedure used to wash cells from
the milk ducts. These cells are examined for any changes, i.e.,
pre-cancerous changes.
Why is ductal lavage important?
- Ductal lavage can detect atypical, pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions
in the breast.
- Ductal lavage can sometimes detect these conditions even before they can
be seen on a mammogram or ultrasound.
- Most breast cancers develop over a period of 8-10 years before detection
by standard methods.
- Treatment decisions can be made based on the individual patient's risk
assessment which includes;
1. The Gail score
2. Genetic testing
3. Ductal lavage results
1. Normal ducts
2. Intraductal Hyperplasia
3. Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia
4. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
5. Invasive Ductal Cancer
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