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 | Health Spotlight: Breast Cancer |  |
 Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of cancer death (exceeded by lung cancer in 1985). Breast cancer is three times more common than all gynecologic malignancies put together.
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The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing steadily from an incidence of 1:20 in 1960 to 1:7 women today.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 211,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year and 43,300 patients will die from the disease. Breast cancer is  truly an epidemic among women and we don't know why.
Breast cancer is not exclusively a disease of women. For every 100 women with breast cancer, 1 male will develop the disease. The American Cancer society estimates that 1,600 men will develop the disease this year. The evaluation of men with breast masses is similar to that in women, including mammography.
The incidence of breast cancer is very low in the twenties (age) gradually increases and plateaus at the age of forty-five and increases dramatically after fifty. Fifty percent of breast cancer is diagnosed in women over sixty-five indicating the ongoing necessity of yearly screening throughout a woman's life.
Breast cancer is considered a heterogenous disease, meaning that it is a different disease in different women, a different disease in different age groups and has different cell populations within the tumor itself. Generally, breast cancer is a much more aggressive disease in younger women. Autopsy studies show that 2% of the population has undiagnosed breast cancer at the time of death. Older women typically have much less aggressive disease than younger women.
www.nationalbreastcancer.org
Breast Cancer Spotlight Links
Describes different types of tests and examinations for early detection of breast cancer, as well as diagnostic tests, should a person show symptoms of the disease
Gives a detailed description of a breast self-examination and discusses both normal and abnormal results
Contains a list of Prevention/Screening articles, in addition to pictures and diagrams, from different websites
Discusses steps a person can take to find breast lumps early, including explanations on mammograms and changes to look for in your breasts
Explains different ways of diagnosing breast cancer, including a physical examination, mammography, ultrasonography, and biopsy.
Defines and details the specifics of a mammography. Includes images of a Mammogram, Showing the Progression of a Breast Mass”
The ADAM Health Encyclopedia explains the step-by-step process of a breast self-exam. Images are included.
The ADAM Health Encyclopedia explains the specifics of a breast biopsy, including but not limited to, how the test is performed and the risks associated. Images are included.
Consumer Reports
Healthatoz.com
Healthology.com
Mayo Clinic
Merck.com
MerckSource.com
Myhealthytoday.com
Caremark
Familydoctor.org
Intelihealth.com
WebMD
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Illustrations
An illustration and explanation of a mammography.
Provides an illustration and a description of how to do a breast self-exam.
Videos
Educational articles and videos with information on breast cancer symptoms, prevention strategies, screening techniques,
and new breast cancer treatments.
Gives detailed explanations and descriptions of the two types of mammography exams: screening and diagnostic. Goes step-by-step through the procedure.
This site contains an interactive breast
self-exam
Societies and
Foundations
Breast Cancer Organizations
Medical Doctor Advice
Submit your medical
questions to professionals
at the Mayo Clinic.
Submit your health-related questions here.
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