| Every woman is at risk for breast cancer (and
many men as well). The cause of breast cancer is still
unknown so the key to survival is early detection.
Breast cancer can be detected in many ways with a biopsy
being the definitive test.
BSE (breast self-examination) is one of the best tools to
use in detecting breast cancer. Learn to know what your breasts look like and feel like.
Check them at the same time each month and if you notice anything different in the way
they look or feel, call your doctor.
Many, if not most, cancers are found by the woman herself,
or her partner. Ask your partner to tell you if a lump or something that feels
"different" is discovered. This is no time for false modesty.
Each year at your annual OB/GYN exam (you do go
every year, don't you?), ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to perform a clinical
breast examination.
Many doctors won't schedule mammograms for patients until
after a certain age (usually 40 or 50). Breast cancer, however, is being diagnosed in
younger women all the time, so if you have a condition that worries you check it out.
Check your insurance coverage to see if mammograms are covered at your age. If they are
not be aware that you may have to pay for it yourself.
Breast cancer can be treated in many ways. Surgery,
chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of any of these.
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer read through
the materials in our resource section and learn as much as you can about your diagnosis
before you agree to a treatment plan. Don't put off medical care, but do take the time to
investigate.
Read the list of questions
to ask so you'll be prepared to talk with your medical team.
Those who are at high risk for
developing breast cancer may wish to seek out additional information. One site which
provides support for women at high risk, for families with increased risk, and helps women
find resources to determine if they are at high risk for breast (and ovarian) cancer is FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered.
There can be good quality of life after a breast cancer
diagnosis. Our authors are breast cancer survivors, one for more than
30 years!
Should you have any questions please
contact us .
If you are thinking of reconstruction
after breast cancer surgery you might want to take a look at these sites. This site
includes a personal journal and photos. Pat's Site .
United States first Breast Cancer Treatment License Plate The first license plate in the United
States to raise funds for breast cancer treatment for the uninsured and underinsured is
available in California. License plate applications are available for purchase on the
Internet at www.curebreastcancer.org
, J.D. Power Clubs' www.carclub.com
, and at this site www.imammogram.com
Tamoxifen is much in the news as a breast cancer treatment
as well as a preventative. As with all treatments, it is not without its risks. The US
Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) that evaluated tamoxifen maintains a site on which
information on the study is posted www.nsabp.pitt.edu.
A listing of tamoxifen's side effects can be found at http://thedailyapple.com/level3/ds3/ddtxxhm.htm
and the home page of the pharmaceutical company which produces tamoxifen displays several
clinical studies done with tamoxifen. http://www.tamoxifen.com/ For additional links on Tamoxifen see our links page.
There are numerous breast cancer support groups on-line and
you may find them by doing a search on your browser. Here are a couple we particularly
like:
The Breast Cancer Discussion Group
An unmoderated list open to researchers, physicians, patients, family and friends
for the discussion of any issue relating to breast cancer. There are about 700
participants from almost 30 countries around the world. Subscribe by sending an e-mail to:
LISTSERV@MORGAN.UCS.MUN.CA with
nothing in the subject line and the following in the message text area:
SUBSCRIBE BREAST-CANCER yourfirstname yourlastname
Spanish Language Breast Cancer Discussion Group
A list open to the same group as above but primarily for those who are more
comfortable communicating in Spanish. Subscribe by sending an e-mail to: CANCER-DE-MAMA-REQUEST@LISTSERV.ACOR.ORG
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