Ed Crane: Our goal is less breast cancer, more birthdays

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1:57 PM Thursday, September 24, 2009

As the nation marks the annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Cancer Society is encouraging women to take charge of their personal breast health and reduce their risk of breast cancer.

The Society is reminding women, 40 and older, about the importance of getting a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year to find breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage.

The Society also recommends that women, ages 20 to 39, receive a clinical breast exam once every three years and recommends magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for certain women at high risk. Women at moderate risk should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram.

Studies clearly show that early detection greatly improves treatment options, the chances for successful treatment and survival. Early-stage breast cancer typically produces no symptoms when the tumor is small and most treatable, so it is important that women follow recommended guidelines before symptoms develop. On average, mammography will detect about 80 to 90 percent of breast cancers in women without symptoms. Breast cancer survival rates are significantly higher when the cancer has not spread.

Women can reduce their risk of breast cancer by taking additional steps to stay well by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, and engaging in physical activity 45 to 60 minutes on five or more days of the week. Also, limiting alcohol consumption can reduce breast cancer risk.

An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. in 2009, and about 40,610 deaths are expected.

Another aspect of creating more birthdays is taking charge of your breast cancer experience when and if you are diagnosed. The Society provides newly diagnosed women and those living with breast cancer with a number of programs and services to help them get well.

Among these is “Reach to Recovery,” which is marking its 40th anniversary in 2009. The program helps newly diagnosed patients cope and specially trained volunteers provide a measure of comfort, emotional support and help with informed decision-making.

Other programs and resources, like the “Look Good ... Feel Better” program help patients mask the physical side effects of treatment and the Hope Lodge offers patients free lodging for those receiving treatment far from home. Information to help make treatment decisions and access its programs are available around the clock at (800) 227-2347 or at cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society has a long history of commitment to finding cures for breast cancer. It has invested more than $388 million in breast cancer research grants since 1971, and has been an important part of nearly every major breast cancer research breakthrough of the past century, including the funding discoveries that led to the development of Tamoxifen and Herceptin, and promoting the use of mammography.

The American Cancer Society and its partner advocacy organization, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, continue to fight breast cancer by engaging in activities to increase funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program that provides low-income, uninsured and under-insured women access to mammograms, Pap tests, follow-up care and treatment.

Current funding only enables the program to serve one in five eligible women, ages 50 to 64, nationwide, and for the first time since the program’s inception, fewer women are now being served due to flat funding rates and cuts in funding over the past five years.

This lifesaving program cannot be fully realized if eligible women cannot get early detection tests due to insufficient funding.

The Action Network encourages anyone touched by this disease to let Congress know that support is important and that an increase in funding for this program is vital to its continuation. To get involved, or to learn more about this effort, please visit acscan.org/makingstrides.

Dr. Ed Crane is board president of the Butler County American Cancer Society. He is board-certified in medical oncology, hematology and internal medicine, and is on staff at Oncology and Hematology Care Inc.

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