There is no routine breast cancer. At Rewind, we know that almost everyone is in some way affected by breast cancer, whether they have been diagnosed themselves or they know someone who has been diagnosed. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we have painted our website pink and teamed up with the outstanding staff at The James to put together some facts about breast cancer.
What is Breast Cancer?
One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and although it’s the second most diagnosed cancer in women behind skin cancer (more than 230,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed every year), the five-year survival rate is more than 90 percent for breast cancers detected early thanks to enhanced screening and prevention methods as well as new, individualized and targeted therapies like those discovered at the OSUCCC – James.
Although breast cancer is diagnosed more often in older women, it does occur in younger women and in men (men, however, account for less than one percent of all breast cancers). About 75 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses are in women age 50 and older.
The risk of developing breast cancer also increases with age. While a family history of breast cancer may increase the risk, it’s important to note that only 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancers are the result of inherited genetic factors.
Breast cancers can be found on a mammogram or by a physical examination by either the patient or the doctor. Not all breast cancers are detected by self-exam or mammogram, but regular screenings greatly increase the chances of early detection, successful treatment and cure.
For more information, please visit cancer.osu.edu/breastcancer. To make an appointment, call 800-293-5066.
Breast Cancer Screening
One of the best ways to detect breast cancer at the earliest possible point – when options for treatment and cure are best – is to get a screening exam. Screening exams can often detect breast cancer before any symptoms even arise.
The OSUCCC — James experts recommend the following breast cancer screening exams
- A monthly breast self-exam
- A yearly physical exam by a medical expert (clinical breast exam)
Annual mammograms starting at age 40 (women who are younger than 40 but have a family history of breast cancer should start getting mammograms even earlier – 10 years before the age the family member was when diagnosed. For example, if your mother was diagnosed at 40, you should start getting your mammograms at 30.)
To schedule your James mammogram, call 800-240-4477.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Anything that increases the chance of developing breast cancer is a risk factor.
The biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer is age. About 75 percent of breast cancer cases occur in women age 50 or older.
Other factors that may increase breast cancer risks are:
- Menstruating at an early age
- Older age at first birth or never having given birth
- A personal history of invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), or benign (noncancer) breast disease
- A family history (first-degree relative, such as mother, daughter or sister) of breast cancer
- Having inherited changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
- Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest
- Having breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram
- Taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone for symptoms of menopause
- Having taken the hormone diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy or being the daughter of a woman who took DES while pregnant
- Obesity
- Not getting enough exercise
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
- Being white
(Source: National Cancer Institute)
Not everyone with risk factors gets breast cancer. However, if you have risk factors, discuss them with your doctor.
For more information on breast cancer, please visit cancer.osu.edu/breastcancer
The James and Sunny 95 are bringing attention to the importance of early detection with a series of pink ribbon stops! See our schedule below where you’ll sign up for a mammogram, fill out a tag in honor or remembrance of a loved one touched by breast cancer to hang on our Tree of Hope, and as a thank you for getting your James mammogram, you will receive a $10 Macy’s gift card.
The James and Sunny 95: Giving Pink a Purpose
Join us at any of these locations to sign-up:
Macy’s at Polaris – September 24th – 11am-1pmKroger Marketplace – 6417 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center – September 30th – 4pm-6pmWorthington Farmer’s Market – October 8th – 10am-12pmKroger Marketplace – 7625 Sawmill Road, Dublin – October 14th – 5pm-7pmPremier at Sawmill – October 15th – 10am-12pmMacy’s at Easton – October 29th – 11am-1pmGirls’ Night Out event at COSI – November 10th – 5pm-9pm
For more information about breast cancer research and excellent patient care at The James, click here.
You must attend one of our Pink with a Purpose stops at one of these locations during the specified time and sign-up for a mammogram on-site.