Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2005-2006
American Cancer Society
(Provided by The American Cancer Society)

• To date there are approximately 2.3 million people surviving breast cancer
• This year an estimated 211, 240 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and an additional 58,000 will be diagnosed with in situ (non-invasive) breast cancer.
• An estimated 40,000 women will die of breast cancer.
• 97% of breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 40
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, nearly 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed.
• Although Caucasian women have a higher incidence rate of breast cancer than African American women after the age of 35; however, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer and experience a higher incidence rate before the age of 35.
• What is Breast Cancer?
  

  A group of diseases that causes cells in the body to change and grow out of control. Most types of cancer cells form a lump or mass called a tumor and are named for the part of the body where the tumor originates.

• Types of Breast Cancer

  In Situ - When the cancer has not spread beyond the area where it began. Cancer is confined within the ducts (DCIS) or lobules (LCIS). Invasive - When cancer starts in the ducts or lobules of the breast, but have broken through the ducts or gland walls to invade the surrounding fatty tissues of the breast.

• Early Breast Cancer typically doesn't produce any symptoms when the tumor is small and treatable.
• Diagnosing Breast Cancer Early

  Breast Self Exam Clinical Breast Exam Mammography/Mammogram

• Recommendations

  	Women aged 40 and older   Annual Mammogram Clinical Breast Exam Monthly Breast Self Exam (optional)
  	Women aged 20-39   Clinical Breast Exam, every 3 years Monthly Breast Self Exam (optional)

• Most breast abnormalities are benign (non-cancerous)
• Some Common Risk Factors Associated with a Breast Cancer diagnosis

  Age Family History Age at first full term pregnancy Early Menarche Late menopause Obesity Birth control pills Alcohol consumption Tobacco usage

• Time since diagnosis, age at diagnosis, stage at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status all influence breast cancer survival.
• There is no guaranteed way to PREVENT breast cancer at this time.