WCWOct2022

Womenn’s Health
Issue
Facts about Breast Cancer and more
How common is breast
cancer? Breast cancer is
the most common cancer
in women in the United
States, except for skin
cancers. It is about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new
female cancers each year.
The American Cancer Society’s estimates for
breast cancer in the United States for 2022 are:
• About 287,850 new cases of invasive breast
cancer will be diagnosed in women.
• About 51,400 new cases of ductal carcinoma
in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed.
• About 43,250 women will die from breast
cancer.
Breast cancer mainly occurs in middle-aged
and older women. The median age
at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62.
This means half of the women who developed
breast cancer are 62 years of age or younger
when they are diagnosed. A very small number
of women diagnosed with breast cancer
are younger than 45.
Overall, the average risk of a woman in the
United States developing breast cancer sometime
in her life is about 13%. This means there
is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer.
This also means there is a 7 in 8 chance
she will never have the disease.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause
of cancer death in women. (Only lung cancer
kills more women each year.) The chance that
a woman will die from breast cancer is about
1 in 39 (about 2.6%). Since 2007, breast cancer
death rates have been steady in women younger
than 50, but have continued to decrease in
older women. From 2013 to 2018, the death
rate went down by 1% per year. These decreases
are believed to be the result of finding breast
cancer earlier through screening and increased
awareness, as well as better treatments. Inheriting
BRCA-1 or other “cancer genes” does increase
risk, but these inherited genetic factors
are responsible for only about 5 to 10 percent
of all breast cancers.
Some variations in breast cancer can be
seen between racial and ethnic groups. For
example, The median age of diagnosis is slightly
younger for Black women (60 years old)
compared to white women 63 years old).
Black women have the highest death rate
from breast cancer. This is thought to be partially
because about 1 in 5 Black women with
breast cancer have triple-negative breast cancer
- more than any other racial/ethnic group.
Black women have a higher chance of developing
breast cancer before the age of 40 than
white women. At every age, Black women are
more likely to die from breast cancer than any
other race or ethnic group.
White and Asian/Pacific Islander women
are more likely to be diagnosed with localized
breast cancer than Black, Hispanic, and American
Indian/Alaska Native women. Asian/Pacific
Islanders have the lowest death rate from
breast cancer. American Indian/Alaska Natives
have the lowest rates of developing breast
cancer. Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in
women, but men can get breast cancer, too.
It’s important to understand that most
breast lumps are benign and not cancer
(malignant). Non-cancer breast tumors are
abnormal growths, but they do not spread
outside of the breast. They are not life threatening,
but some types of benign breast lumps
can increase a woman’s risk of getting breast
cancer. Any breast lump or change needs to be
checked by a health care professional to find
out if it is benign or malignant (cancer) and if
it might affect your future cancer risk.
Source: The American Cancer Society
Diet and Exercise:
• A plant-based
diet with a variety
of fruits, vegetables,
beans and whole
grains can help you
maintain a healthy
weight and therefore
lower your risk. Being
active decreases
risk for breast cancer.
Vigorous activity
decreases risk for
pre-menopausal
breast cancer. Carrying
excess body
fat increases risk for
post-menopausal
breast cancer.
• Fat tissue causes inflammation, which can
promote cancerous changes in healthy cells.
Being overweight and obese increases blood
levels of insulin and related hormones that
can encourage the growth of cancer.
• Drinking alcohol — in any form — raises
breast cancer risk.
• Alcohol influences blood levels of estrogen
and other hormones in ways that may make
cancer more likely.
• Alcohol is a recognized carcinogen. It can
cause cellular damage that can trigger
cancer development
Source: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/about/what-is-breast-cancer.html
Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer
Since 1993, the American Cancer Society’s
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
(MSABC) campaign has united communities,
companies, and individuals with a collective
goal to end breast cancer as we know it.
Over the past two decades, the noncompetitive
walks have collectively grown into
the nation’s largest and most impactful breast
cancer movement providing a supportive
community for breast cancer survivors and
metastatic breast cancer thrivers, including
caregivers, and families alike.
This year, Making Strides Against Breast
Cancer celebrates its 30th anniversary and
will take place in more than 150 communities
nationwide. Making Strides of Sarasota
Manatee is on Saturday, October 22 at Nathan
Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle,
Sarasota.
Parking for the walk will open at 7:30 am.
All parking will be on the island at Nathan
Benderson Park. Event festival area and registration
will open at 7:30 am on walk day. Only
those who are not yet registered need to
check in on walk day. All participants need
to be registered in order to participate in the
walk and activities.
The walk starts at 8:30 am. There will be
both a 1 mile and 3 mile option to accommodate
all abilities.
Water Stops will be located in the event festival
area as well as along the route.
Strollers are welcome. Register and bring
the entire family to celebrate. Food Trucks will
be on site providing delicious options for you
to purchase. Entertainment will be provided
along the route from various local musicians.
To learn more about the Making Strides of
Sarasota Manatee or for other information,
contact Bethany Lynch at bethanyk.lynch@
cancer.org or call 941-867-7427.
Breast Cancer Screening
& Diagnostics Services
at SMH
Sarasota Memorial’s Brian D. Jellison Cancer
Institute offers comprehensive breast cancer
screening, diagnostic, treatment and support
services. Their bbreast health services include:
• 3D mammography (digital 2D mammography
is available for patients who prefer it)
• 3D mammography with SmartCurveTechnology
• Genetic counseling and testing for hereditary
cancers
• Breast Ultrasound and MRI
• Computer-aided Detection
• Breast biopsy (stereotactic, ultrasound and
MRI-guided biopsies)
• Breast biopsy with Hologic Affirm System
• Cyst aspiration
• Ductography /
galactography
• Lymphoscintigraphy
If you or someone you
know is uninsured or cannot
afford a mammogram,
breast ultrasound, breast
biopsy or other breast
health service, call their
Breast Health Grant
Support Program for
assistance: 941-917-7642.
Sarasota Memorial offers
mammography and
advanced breast imaging
services at eight locations
in Sarasota County. To
make an appointment,
call 941-917-7322.
Sarasota Memorial Breast Health Center
Waldemere Medical Plaza, 1921 Waldemere
St., Sarasota • 941-917-4101
Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center
at Heritage Harbour
1040 River Heritage Blvd., Bradenton
• 941-917-6440
Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center
at University Parkway
5350 University Parkway, Sarasota
• 941-917-4777
Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center
at Clark Road
5880 Rand Blvd., Sarasota • 941-917-5111
Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center
at Blackburn Point
929 S. Tamiami Trail Osprey, Sarasota
• 941-917-4900
Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice
2600 Laurel Road E., North Venice
• 941-261-9000
Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center
at Venice
997 N. US 41 Bypass, Venice • 941-952-4250
Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center &
ER at North Port
2345 Bobcat Village Center Rd., North Port
• 941-257-2800
The Sarasota Memorial breast cancer care
team recommends that all women ages 40 and
older have a screening mammogram and a clinical
breast exam every year and that women
ages 25 to 39 have a clinical breast exam every
1 to 3 years. These recommendations may vary
for women who have a history of breast cancer
or an increased risk of developing breast
cancer, so be sure to talk with your gynecologist
and primary care physician to develop a
screening schedule that’s best for you.
The American College of Radiology designated
Sarasota Memorial a Gold Standard
Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. Sarasota
Memorial’s Breast Health Center is a Certified
Quality Breast Center of Excellence, as designated
by the National Quality Measures for
Breast Centers (NQMBC) program, placing it
among an elite group of facilities recognized
for continued commitment to providing quality
breast care and reaching a level of national
excellence.
Sarasota Memorial is fully accredited by the
American College of Surgeons’ Commission
on Cancer and has maintained continuous
Commission on Cancer (CoC) accreditation
since 1988.
24 WEST COAST WOMAN OCTOBER 2022