Ven Griva, Contributor
FOR 20 years, October has been set aside as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the goal of educating women about the dangers of the deadly disease and benefits of early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
This year, those behind the effort are again reaching out to women with several key messages, most notably, the importance of early detection through annual mammography screening for women over the age of 40. Mammography screenings are a woman's best chance for detecting breast cancer early, cancer experts agree. When coupled with new treatment options, mammography screenings can significantly improve a woman's chances of survival.
The NBCA website (www.nbcam.com) has been established for anyone who is interested in breast cancer, has friends or family members who are or have been breast cancer patients, those who wish to learn more about this disease, or for those who want to build awareness in their communities.
To help others understand this disease and participate in building awareness - in October and throughout the year - this site provides the latest information about breast cancer research and clinical trials and lists other websites to put together a tailored awareness programme.
The third Friday in October each year is National Mammography Day, first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. On this day, or throughout the month, women are encouraged to make a mammography appointment. This year, National Mammography Day will be recognised on October 21.
NEW STUDIES
Most women know that getting a mammogram is an important step they can take to protect their health. Two new studies show just why this breast cancer screening tool is so critical.
One, published August 8 in the journal Cancer, shows that, on average, women are being diagnosed with smaller tumours now than in past decades. This is in large part thanks to earlier detection by mammograms.
The other study, published August 17 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, finds that women whose breast cancer is first spotted with a mammogram tend to live longer than those who find their breast cancer some other way (by feeling a lump, for instance). And this held true even when the researchers looked at women whose tumours were found at the same stage.
"These findings provide additional support for the importance of adherence to regular screening," said Robert Smith, director of cancer screening for the American Cancer Society. The society recommends that women begin getting yearly mammograms at age 40 if they are at average risk of developing breast cancer. Women at high risk may want to start screening before 40.
SELF-DIAGNOSIS
For years women have been told that performing monthly breast self-examinations could save their lives. Why? Because the exams may be able to find a breast cancer before a mammogram or doctor could find it. Then, treatment can be started earlier, maybe before the cancer has a chance to spread - making a cure more likely.
Research supports the claim that the self-exams contribute to early detection. Women who perform regular exams do detect tumours that are smaller and at an earlier stage than women who don't, says information found on the website www.breastcancer.org.
"No woman wants to do a breast self exam, and for many the experience is frustrating - you may feel things but not know what they mean," the website says. "However, the more you examine your breasts, the more you will learn about them and the easier it will become for you to tell if something unusual has occurred. BSE (breast self-exams) is an essential part of taking care of yourself and reducing your risk of breast cancer."
Experts encourage women with a family history to do more self-examinations. They recommend routine mammograms and even magnetic resonance imaging.
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