Publications
Partners
Get the latest interesting facts and practical tips on how to cut your breast cancer risk.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight Australian women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
The good news is that women now have an 89% chance of surviving five years after diagnosis. In fact, over the past few decades, breast cancer has become a very survivable disease. Many women go on to live another 30-40 years after diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis is also no longer synonymous with losing the affected breast or breasts. Reconstruction methods have advanced to such an extent that surgeons can construct near-perfect breasts using tissue from other parts of the body, providing a little nip, tuck and lift at the same time.
The basics
Breast cancer is a general term for different types of cancer that develop from breast tissue cells which grow abnormally and multiply, ultimately spreading to the rest of the body. The causes are mostly unknown but may include genetic, environmental, nutritional and hormonal factors.
Symptoms aren’t obvious in the early stages, and any changes in the breast should be monitored, especially if there are lumps, changes in nipple appearance, underarm swelling or unusual nipple discharge.
Early diagnosis is possible with routine mammography and early biopsy of suspicious lumps .
Latest research
Worldwide, researchers are seeking clues to the causes of breast cancer, while exploring new prevention strategies and treatment options. Some important findings:
• The success rate of new hormonal treatments is promising. Studies show that women who received hormonal treatment immediately after diagnosis and prior to surgery experienced such marked shrinkage of the lump that half of patients who would have required a mastectomy (breast removal ) needed only lumpectomy (removal of the lump, while saving the breast).
• New adjuvant therapy (treatment given after surgery) with aromatase blockers stops breast cancer as well as or better than tamoxifen – an anti-oestrogen drug used to prevent oestrogen-positive breast cancer. This is important, as the drugs have different types of side effects.
• Although a hotly debated topic, researchers are finding it might not be necessary to remove all cancerous glands in cases where cancer has spread to glands surrounding the breast. The recent AMAROS trial indicated that removal of the so-called “sentinel” gland (the first lymph node or nodes in the armpit to which cancer can spread) is highly effective in treating breast cancer, especially combined with radiotherapy.
• T-DM1 is a three-pronged combination drug that interferes with cancer cell growth in a targeted way. It attaches very specifically to the cancer cell and releases a potent dose of chemotherapy within it, while sparing normal tissue. In one study group, T-DM1 increased survival rates in late-stage cancer patients by 50%. However, more work is needed before the experimental therapy can be widely implemented.
Risk factors
Women with the BRCA1 gene, which is also responsible for ovarian cancer, are more at risk for developing breast cancer. However, women who don’t carry the gene, but fall into one of the following categories, are also at risk:
• A strong family history of breast cancer, especially in a mother or sister before 50
• Family members who’ve tested positive for the gene
• Older women on hormone replacement medication for over 2 years
• High mammographic density
• Women who became pregnant for the first time in their 30s
• Women who’ve never had children
• Women who started menstruating before age 12
• Women who drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day
• Women who’ve had radiation therapy to the chest area.
Self-examination
Early detection key to effective treatment.
IMPORTANT: If you’re between the ages of 50 and 74, you can get mammography screening with BreastScreen every two years. There are 500 BreastScreen locations across the country; svisit www.breastscreen.org.au to find a clinic near you.
Steps show in performing breast self-examination:
Step 1
Raise your arm over your head. Examine your right breast with your left hand. Use skin cream so your hand glides smoothly over the skin.
Step 2
Use light pressure when examining the breast.
Step 3
Use deep pressure when examining the breast.
Step 4
For pendulous breasts, support the breast with one hand while examining with the other.
Step 5
After showering or bathing, stand in front of a mirror in good light. Look for changes in your breasts. (Note: it’s not uncommon for one breast to be slightly larger than the other.) Look for change in the following: size, shape, level of nipples, obvious lump, skin colour, nipples. Lift arms above head to check for dimpling or tethering of the skin.
Step 6
A change in the nipple may indicate problems. Check for changes such as inversion (nipple pulled inwards) or discharge. Gently squeeze the nipple: some discharge may emerge which may be clear, dark-green, brown, black-pinkish or blood-stained. If it’s blood-stained, see your doctor immediately.
Step 7
Check for swollen lymph nodes in the armpit and feel above the collar-bone.
Step 8
Lie down on a folded towel or pillow. This allows the breast to flow over the chest wall so the tissue can be more easily felt.
Prevention
These actions can help prevent breast cancer:
• Women at very high risk should get an MRI and mammogram every year.
• Exercise at least 20 minutes a day, five times a week. According to one US study, exercise can cut risk of breast cancer by up to 42%.
• Maintain ideal body weight.
• Limit alcohol intake to one beverage per day.
• If you’re breastfeeding, continue for longer.
• Immediately report any breast changes to your doctor.
While there’s no guaranteed cure, greater awareness, self-examination and preparation are key to prevention and effective treatment.
Need more information? Visit Cancer Australia on www.canceraustralia.gov.au, or call with Breast Cancer Network Australia on 1800 500 258.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight Australian women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
The good news is that women now have an 89% chance of surviving five years after diagnosis. In fact, over the past few decades, breast cancer has become a very survivable disease. Many women go on to live another 30-40 years after diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis is also no longer synonymous with losing the affected breast or breasts. Reconstruction methods have advanced to such an extent that surgeons can construct near-perfect breasts using tissue from other parts of the body, providing a little nip, tuck and lift at the same time.
The basics
Breast cancer is a general term for different types of cancer that develop from breast tissue cells which grow abnormally and multiply, ultimately spreading to the rest of the body. The causes are mostly unknown but may include genetic, environmental, nutritional and hormonal factors.
Symptoms aren’t obvious in the early stages, and any changes in the breast should be monitored, especially if there are lumps, changes in nipple appearance, underarm swelling or unusual nipple discharge.
Early diagnosis is possible with routine mammography and early biopsy of suspicious lumps .
Latest research
Worldwide, researchers are seeking clues to the causes of breast cancer, while exploring new prevention strategies and treatment options. Some important findings:
• The success rate of new hormonal treatments is promising. Studies show that women who received hormonal treatment immediately after diagnosis and prior to surgery experienced such marked shrinkage of the lump that half of patients who would have required a mastectomy (breast removal ) needed only lumpectomy (removal of the lump, while saving the breast).
• New adjuvant therapy (treatment given after surgery) with aromatase blockers stops breast cancer as well as or better than tamoxifen – an anti-oestrogen drug used to prevent oestrogen-positive breast cancer. This is important, as the drugs have different types of side effects.
• Although a hotly debated topic, researchers are finding it might not be necessary to remove all cancerous glands in cases where cancer has spread to glands surrounding the breast. The recent AMAROS trial indicated that removal of the so-called “sentinel” gland (the first lymph node or nodes in the armpit to which cancer can spread) is highly effective in treating breast cancer, especially combined with radiotherapy.
• T-DM1 is a three-pronged combination drug that interferes with cancer cell growth in a targeted way. It attaches very specifically to the cancer cell and releases a potent dose of chemotherapy within it, while sparing normal tissue. In one study group, T-DM1 increased survival rates in late-stage cancer patients by 50%. However, more work is needed before the experimental therapy can be widely implemented.
Risk factors
Women with the BRCA1 gene, which is also responsible for ovarian cancer, are more at risk for developing breast cancer. However, women who don’t carry the gene, but fall into one of the following categories, are also at risk:
• A strong family history of breast cancer, especially in a mother or sister before 50
• Family members who’ve tested positive for the gene
• Older women on hormone replacement medication for over 2 years
• High mammographic density
• Women who became pregnant for the first time in their 30s
• Women who’ve never had children
• Women who started menstruating before age 12
• Women who drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day
• Women who’ve had radiation therapy to the chest area.
Self-examination
Early detection key to effective treatment.
IMPORTANT: If you’re between the ages of 50 and 74, you can get mammography screening with BreastScreen every two years. There are 500 BreastScreen locations across the country; svisit www.breastscreen.org.au to find a clinic near you.
Steps show in performing breast self-examination:
Step 1
Raise your arm over your head. Examine your right breast with your left hand. Use skin cream so your hand glides smoothly over the skin.
Step 2
Use light pressure when examining the breast.
Step 3
Use deep pressure when examining the breast.
Step 4
For pendulous breasts, support the breast with one hand while examining with the other.
Step 5
After showering or bathing, stand in front of a mirror in good light. Look for changes in your breasts. (Note: it’s not uncommon for one breast to be slightly larger than the other.) Look for change in the following: size, shape, level of nipples, obvious lump, skin colour, nipples. Lift arms above head to check for dimpling or tethering of the skin.
Step 6
A change in the nipple may indicate problems. Check for changes such as inversion (nipple pulled inwards) or discharge. Gently squeeze the nipple: some discharge may emerge which may be clear, dark-green, brown, black-pinkish or blood-stained. If it’s blood-stained, see your doctor immediately.
Step 7
Check for swollen lymph nodes in the armpit and feel above the collar-bone.
Step 8
Lie down on a folded towel or pillow. This allows the breast to flow over the chest wall so the tissue can be more easily felt.
Prevention
These actions can help prevent breast cancer:
• Women at very high risk should get an MRI and mammogram every year.
• Exercise at least 20 minutes a day, five times a week. According to one US study, exercise can cut risk of breast cancer by up to 42%.
• Maintain ideal body weight.
• Limit alcohol intake to one beverage per day.
• If you’re breastfeeding, continue for longer.
• Immediately report any breast changes to your doctor.
While there’s no guaranteed cure, greater awareness, self-examination and preparation are key to prevention and effective treatment.
Need more information? Visit Cancer Australia on www.canceraustralia.gov.au, or call with Breast Cancer Network Australia on 1800 500 258.
