(Compiled by Vicki Gordy, a survivor of triple negative breast cancer.)
BREAST CANCER FACT #1
“Most women diagnosed with breast cancer – more than 85% – have no family history of the disease. Having a relative with breast cancer does increase your risk. But other factors such as age, being overweight, alcohol use, and hormone therapy after menopause can also increase your risk of developing breast cancer.” (AmericanCancer Society)
BREAST CANCER FACT #2
“The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. About 2 out of 3 invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 and older.” (American Cancer Society)
BREAST CANCER FACT #3
“Women with high breast density (as seen on a mammogram) are four to five times more likely to get breast cancer than women with low breast density.” (komen.org)
Find out if you have dense breast tissue. Over 40% of women do! Breast density levels range from 1-4 (4 being most dense). Dense breast tissue is generally considered levels 3 and 4 (which both indicate more than 50% breast dense tissue).
BREAST CANCER FACT #4
Monthly breast self-check saves lives.
Go to your smart phone calendar. Type in “Breast Self-Check” and program your calendar to “repeat monthly.” If you do not have a smart phone, enter this reminder for each month on whatever reminder system you use. Check breastcancer.org for instructions (search for “Breast Self-Exam”).
BREAST CANCER FACT #5
“In 2012, breast cancer accounted for nearly 25% of all cancers.” (komen.org)
“In 2014, it is estimated that among U.S. women there will be 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer.” (komen.org)
“Over a lifetime (up to age 85) women in the U.S. have a 12 percent (1 in 8) chance of developing breast cancer.” (komen.org)
Find out what screening tests are recommended for you and make sure to schedule them. (Regardless of what tests are recommended, women of all ages can benefit by monthly self-exams. Program a monthly reminder for this exam on your smart phone calendar.)
BREAST CANCER FACT #6
“Younger women are more likely than older women to have more advanced stage cancers at diagnosis.” (komen.org)
Although mammograms normally begin at age 40, women who are in their 20s and 30s are not exempt from all risk of breast cancer, although the risk is lower the younger the age.
“Most factors that increase breast cancer risk in older women (such as drinking alcohol) also increase risk in younger women.” (komen.org)
Go to komen.org and search for “Factors Affecting Breast Cancer Risk” for more information. Find out what risk factors you have for developing breast cancer. You might need to begin screening tests earlier than 40. Regardless of age, all women can benefit from monthly self-exams. Program a monthly reminder for this exam on your smart phone calendar. (Check online at breastcancer.org for instructions for this exam.)
BREAST CANCER FACT #7
Exercise can reduce risk of breast cancer.
“Regular exercise is an important part of being as healthy as you can be. More and more research is showing that exercise can reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back (recurrence) if you’ve had breast cancer, as well as reducing the risk of developing breast cancer if you’ve never been diagnosed.” (breastcancer.org)
“The latest recommendations for adults call for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week, or an equivalent combination, preferably spread throughout the week. This is over and above usual daily activities like using the stairs instead of the elevator at your office or doing housework.” (American Cancer Society)
BREAST CANCER FACT #8
Alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.
“Many studies show that drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. A pooled analysis of data from 53 studies found for each alcoholic drink consumed per day, the relative risk of breast cancer increased by about seven percent. Women who had two to three alcoholic drinks per day had a 20 percent higher risk of breast cancer.” (komen.org)
BREAST CANCER FACT #9
“Studies show that current or recent use of birth control pills (oral contraceptives) slightly increases the risk of breast cancer.
A pooled analysis of data from more than 50 studies found that while women were taking birth control pills (and shortly thereafter), they had a 10 to 30 percent higher risk of breast cancer than women who had never used the pill. Once women stopped taking the pill, their risk began to decrease and after about 10 years, returned to that of women who have never taken the pill.” (komen.org)
BREAST CANCER FACT #10
Diet is one factor in lowering risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer.
“Some foods can help protect against certain cancers. Eating a plant-based diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans) and being physically active is your best insurance to reduce your risk of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.” (M. D. Anderson’s “Simple Steps to Reduce Your Cancer Risks.” – available to read this online.)