October 2013
YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO HEALTH CARE AWARENESS
DidUKnow?
Breast Cancer:
What You Need to Know
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The best way to find breast
cancer early is with a
mammogram. If you are
a woman age 50 years or
older, be sure to have a
screening mammogram
every two years.
Is breast cancer the most common cause of death
for women? No. Although many women get breast
cancer, it is not a common cause of death. Heart
disease is the number one cause of death among
women age 40 and older.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer? When
breast cancer starts out, it is too small to feel and does
not cause signs and symptoms. As it grows, however,
breast cancer can cause changes in how the breast
looks or feels. Symptoms may include:
• New lump in the breast or armpit
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk
• Any change in the size or shape of the breast
• Pain in any area of the breast
What is a mammogram? A mammogram is an
X-ray of the breast. Doctors use a mammogram to
look for early signs of breast cancer. Having regular
mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast
cancer. If you are age 50-74 years, be sure to have
a screening mammogram every two years. If you are
age 40-49 years, talk to your doctor about when and
how often you should have a screening mammogram.
Why should I have a mammogram? Regular
mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find
breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before
it can be felt. When breast cancer is found early, many
women go on to live long and healthy lives.
Where can I go to get screened? Most likely, you
can get screened for breast cancer at a clinic, hospital
or doctor’s office. If you want to be screened for breast
cancer, call your doctor’s office. They can help you
schedule an appointment.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Doctor’s
Bag
• Starting your period before
age 12
• Starting menopause after
age 55
• Having children after age 35
or never having children
• Not breast feeding your baby
• Long-term use of some types
of hormone replacement
therapy
• Relatives with breast cancer
• Drinking alcohol (more than
one drink per day)
• Not getting regular exercise
• Being overweight, especially
after menopause
• Getting older
• Radiation treatment to the
chest area
• Breast cancer or certain other
breast problems in the past
NOTE: Having a risk factor
does not mean you will get
breast cancer. Most women
have some risk factors and do
not get breast cancer.
Information Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention: “Protect Yourself from
Breast Cancer,” http://www.cdc.gov/
cancer/breast/basic_info/inforgraphic.
htm, Updated August 27, 2013; “Breast
Cancer Awareness,” www.cdc.gov/
features/breastcancerawareness/,
Updated October 1, 2012;
American Cancer Society: “Breast
Awareness and Self-Exam,”
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/
breastcancer/moreinformation/
breastcancerearlydetection/breastcancer-early-detection-acs-recs-bse,
Last revised February 6, 2013
Coverage and administrative services are provided by UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company. ® Registered mark of WellPoint, Inc. © 2013 WellPoint, Inc.
Breast Awareness and
Breast Self-Exam (BSE)
Starting in their twenties,
women need to know about
the benefits and limitations of
conducting a breast self-exam.
A breast self-exam is when
you check your own breasts
for lumps, changes in size or
shape of the breast, or any
other changes in the breasts or
underarm (armpit).
The breasts may look or feel
different for reasons other than
cancer, such as hormonal
changes and caffeine intake.
Whatever the cause, it is
important to notify a health care
provider of any changes so
that the area can be evaluated
properly and promptly.
Women with breast implants
can also perform BSE.
The American Cancer Society’s
website www.cancer.org/
cancer/breastcancer includes
an excellent resource on how to
do a breast self-exam.
It’s important to note that breast
self-exams have not been
found to decrease risk of dying
from breast cancer. At this time,
the best way to find breast
cancer is with a mammogram.
If you choose to have clinical
breast exams and to perform
breast self-exams, be sure you
also get regular mammograms.
Have questions? Your family
doctor or OB/Gyn will be happy
to provide answers.