Over the last few decades, breast cancer has become a
major concern for women of all ages. As with any health
issue, it is important to gather as much information
as possible in order to make an educated decision. Within
these pages Project AWARE provides basic direction to
information about breast cancer and its effect on womens'
health. (Links that go to other websites will open in new windows.)
Early detection
One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer
in her lifetime. The earlier breast cancer is found,
the better the chances that treatment will work. If
detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds
95 percent.
Mammogram - Among
the best early detection methods, a mammogram is recommended every
one to two years for women in their forties by the National Cancer
Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Here's
a thorough explanation about what a mammogram is, why women should
have it and more. A recent report published in Cancer confirms:
Annual
Mammograms in Women over 40 detect earlier, smaller breast cancers
(view at Medscape with free registration)
Breast thermography Not intended
to replace mammograms, breast thermography has the ability to warn
women up to 10 years earlier than any other procedure that a cancer
may be forming; thus allowing for prompt and timely treatment. Breast
thermography.com provides information on this method, risk assessment,
breast cancer, early detection, prevention and ultimately the preservation
of the breast and the survival of women.
Clinical breast exam
- An exam of your breasts by a health professional such as a doctor,
nurse practitioner, nurse, or physician assistant: Every three years
for women between the ages of 20 and 39. The American Cancer Society
has published new
recommendations for self- and clinical breast examinations at
earlier ages, mammography for older and higher-risk women, as well
as for new technologies, according to an 2003 article published in
the society's May-June issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Breast self-exam (BSE)
- The American
Cancer Society website provides specific instructions on how to
examine yourself and how often to perform the exam. Susan
G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation offers a nice flash presentation
about how to perform a breast self exam—a visual lesson.
Breast biopsy -
BreastBiopsy.com
explains in a clear way for those facing the uncertainties of biopsy
or the spectre of breast cancer, including a biopsy procedure called
mammotome.
Hormone
replacement and breast cancer
Progesterone protects
against breast cancer - An article
from "Hormones Without Fear" by Ivy Greenwell shows
how progesterone appears to be a very special "guardian angel" hormone
custom-designed by evolution to keep women free from endometrial and
breast cancer.
Potential benefits of
progesterone - See what
Jane Murray, MD and our Progesterone
FAQ say about the potential benefit of natural progesterone on
breast tissue.
HRT, progesterone, and
cancer - Progesterone belongs in your body, does not negate estrogen's
beneficial effect on lipids like progestins do, and actually increases
bone density. "Avoid natural progesterone? If I were a woman,
that would be the last thing that I would think about doing,"
says Donald Michael, MD in his answer to the question Does
combining of estrogen and progestin significantly increase the risk
of breast cancer?
Hormone Therapy Possibilities for
Breast Cancer Survivors and Women at High Risk for Cancer - Pete
Hueseman RPh, PD, Consultant Pharmacist offers advice
and explanations to help women decide what might be best.
Aromatase Inhibitors
- Aromatase
Inhibitors for Breast Cancer: A New Gold Standard? by Harold J.
Burstein, MD, PhD - From the 24th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer
Symposium, available at Medscape (You must register to access this
material, but it is free.)
"Keeping aBreast: Ways to Stop Breast Cancer" - This book by Khalid Mahmud, MD provides the reader clear strategies to reduce the risk of breast cancer, strategies that are based not only on his experience as an oncologist but also on an extensive review of scientific literature.
American
Cancer Society presents everything you need to know to cope with
cancer and its effects.
Breast
Cancer Action carries the voices of people affected by breast
cancer to inspire and compel the changes necessary to end the breast
cancer epidemic.
Breastlink.org
- Breast Cancer Care & Research Fund: mission to improve the level
of care and the quality of life for breast cancer patients through
providing the most up-to-date, authoritative information possible.
This organization believes that better breast cancer education will
empower women to seek an earlier diagnosis and understand the pros
and cons of their treatment options. Publishes monthly reviews of
the science behind breast cancer news in English and Spanish
CDC
- National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
This program within the Center for Disease Control builds the infrastructure
for breast and cervical cancer early detection by supporting public
and provider education, quality assurance, surveillance, and evaluation
activities critical to achieving maximum utilization of the screening,
diagnostic and case management services. To learn more about a new
program that helps pay for breast cancer treatment for women in need,
you can view
this page or call 1-888-842-6355.
Cancer
Care is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to
provide free professional help to people with all cancers through
counseling, education, information and referral and direct financial
assistance. This
page covers breast cancer.
Cancer Clinical Services Quality Assurance Project (QAP) features
clinical tools, including breast diagnostic algorithms and information
on quality assurance issues, for primary care clinicians and other
healthcare providers involved in the early detection and diagnosis
of breast and cervical cancers. For patients, they offer a Breast
Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment Guide in six languages. QAP is a
collaboration between San Diego State University Graduate School of
Public Health and the State of California Department of Health Services,
Cancer Detection Section.
IACT
(International Academy of Clinical Thermography) In response to
the growing confusion regarding the current accepted role of thermography
for use in breast cancer screening and detection, the International
Academy of Clinical Thermology issues the following position statement:
"The proper role of thermography is not
as a replacement for mammography."
Breast thermography is a complementary screening and detection
procedure, which when added to a woman’s breast health examination
substantially increases the sensitivity in detecting pathologies
associated with the breast. As a unique physiological examination
procedure, breast thermography is the only known test that can also
serve as an early warning system by identifying women who have high-risk
pre-cancerous infrared imaging markers. The procedure can also play
a role in prognosis and as a method of assisting in monitoring the
effects of treatment.
While thermography is far more sensitive than mammography, some
slow growing non-aggressive cancers will only be detected by mammography.
Thermography does not have the ability to pinpoint the location
of a tumor. Consequently, breast thermography's role is in addition
to mammography and physical examination, not in lieu of. Breast
thermography does not replace mammography and mammography does not
replace breast thermography, the tests complement each other."
National
Lymphedema Network (NLN) provides education and guidance to lymphedema
patients, healthcare professionals and the general public by disseminating
information on the prevention and management of primary and secondary
lymphedema. The latter can develop as a result of cancer surgery,
radiation, infection or trauma.
Susan
G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
presents the ABCs of breast health and breast cancer with a searchable
scientific A to Z guide on topics such as risk factors, diagnosis,
staging, treatment, after treatment care and breast cancer financial
and insurance issues.
Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is an international, nonprofit
network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the
concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer.
Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC seeks to educate the
medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities and to
persuade them to address breast cancer in women 40 and under.
Page uploaded August 2002
Content updated December 2009
NOTE: Links to other websites
will open in new windows. Closing those windows will return you to
ProjectAWARE site for more exploration.
We Invite You To...
Share YOUR story
about breast cancer—personal triumphs, opinions, observations,
or whatever you think others might like, or need, to know.
See what others have submitted
Note: Links to other websites
will open in new windows. Closing those windows will return you to
ProjectAWARE site for more exploration.
We Invite You To...
Share YOUR story
about breast cancer—personal triumphs, opinions, observations,
or whatever you think others might like, or need, to know.
See what others have submitted
Breast thermography Not intended
to replace mammograms, breast thermography has the ability to warn
women up to 10 years earlier than any other procedure that a cancer
may be forming; thus allowing for prompt and timely treatment. 
