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ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! The most common cancers among African American women are breast (31%), followed by lung (13%), and colon and rectum (13%).  According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), in 2003, an estimated 211,300 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States.  An estimated 20,000 of these new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women.  Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African American women; however, the rate of newly diagnosed cases is about 13% lower than in white women.1  The breast cancer death rate is higher among African American women than white women despite a lower incidence rate.  This differential may be due, in part, to later stage at diagnosis, a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with estrogen-receptor negative tumors, or more aggressive tumors which are more difficult to treat. Estrogen-receptor negative tumors are tumors that often are not hormone-dependent, such as estrogen.  Consequently, these tumors cannot be treated by hormone-blocking drugs.

 

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oung women between the ages of 20-39 are at risk for getting breast cancer.  Many experts feel that this age group is at an increased risk for death from breast cancer because of the presumption that breast cancer only affects older women.  Let’s look at the latest statistics:

 

  • Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women ages 20-39 and 40-59.
  • By age 30, one in 2,212 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • A family history of breast cancer increases the chance of developing the disease 2 to 3 times compared to women with no family history.
  • The younger a woman’s relative was diagnosed with breast cancer, the greater the chance of developing the disease.
  • Breast cancer may be more aggressive in young women. 
  • Cancerous cells in young women (ages 21-35) are more likely to spread to the lymph nodes than in women ages 36 and older.
  • Breast cancer in young women is more likely to spread to distant organs
  • Young women have lower survival rates than older women
  • Breast cancer may be less responsive to hormone therapies because many young women are estrogen-receptor negative.

 

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ecause breast cancer develops earlier in African-American women, the American Cancer Society and Sister Networks, a national organization of African American survivors and associates, recommends regular mammograms beginning at age 30 or at 25, if there's a family history of the disease. Every woman should perform breast self-exams regularly and be on the alert for the following symptoms:

  • lump in the breast (keep in mind that many lumps are benign (not cancerous), but they should still be checked by a physician)
  • inverted nipple
  • dimpling of the skin on the breast
  • nipple discharge

Text Box: Sisters Network also recommends these steps for early detection: • Monthly Breast Self-exam (BSE) starting at age 20 (BSE should be done just as your period ends the same day each month. Most women discover breast masses during monthly BSE) • Clinical breast examination (CBE) by a trained medical professional every 2-3 years beginning at age 20, and annually after age 40 • Mammography screening every one to two years for women ages 35-40. If your mother or sister has had breast cancer, you need to get mammograms earlier and more frequently. • Annual mammography screening for women age 40+
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Male Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is traditionally thought of as a female-related problem. Men, however, are as susceptible to the disease as women are.  In the United State, male breast cancer accounts for 1% of cases of breast cancer.

Recommended Sites

American Cancer Society

Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organization

National Cancer Institute

National Women’s Health Information Center

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization