Focus on Breast Cancer

Several weeks ago the Oprah show featured Dr. McAndrew, who gave some helpful information about Breast Cancer. Here are some of the highlights of what she said on the show:

Most breast cancers are not inherited, but if there is a gene or family history, there is a risk.

The lifetime chance of getting breast cancer is 87% in those who carry the breast cancer gene BRCA Mutation.

The lifetime chance of getting ovarian cancer is 40% with this gene.

Someone who doesn’t have the gene, and gets it in one breast, has a 2-10% chance of getting it in the second breast.

For those who have dense breast, a mamogram may not be enough to find breast cancer. A breast MRI is the method of choice. Insurance doesn’t pay usually. In dense breasts it is harder to see what is going on. When you go in for your mammogram, your radiologist can tell you if you have dense breasts or not. Women of all ages and all sizes can have dense breasts. The MRI however will miss certain things, so it is good to use all methods, including self-exam and mammograms. Mammograms can pick up on calcifications.

You should get yearly mammograms starting around the age of 35-40.

Some women should consider an MRI, using 3-d:

1) If you carry the gene

2) If you have dense breasts

3) If you had radiation to your chest as a teenager

4) If you ever had silicon breast implants

Ultrasound is used if they cannot see well on the mammogram.

It is important to be your own advocate.

1of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of those, around 70% will not have a historyof breast cancer. 85% of those will still be alive after 10 years.

One of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk besides getting annual checkups is to make important changes in your diet:

Lifestyle issues: 25% reduction in cancer spreading on low-fat diet.

Exercise has decreased risk of developing it.

There is an increased risk of breast cancer around pregnancy. The later in life the pregnancy, the higher the risk. When pregnant, breasts change anyway, so it is confusing. Examine breasts regularly during pregnancy, note any changes in lumps and present these changes to your doctor.

Increased risk around pregnancy, the later, the higher risk.

To listen to the aftershow, go to the following website:

http://www.oprah.com/media/20080911_tows_ats