On the eve of one of NJ's largest walks to find a cure for Breast Cancer, here are the top 10 facts on this illness:
1. There will be an estimated 221,920 new cases of breast cancer and 65,980 deaths from the disease in 2015. The breast is the most common site of cancer in women, and breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women.
2. The five-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer has increased from 72 percent in the 1940's to 97 percent today. If the cancer has spread regionally, however, the rate is 78 percent, and for women with cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body, the rate is 23 percent.
3. Survival after a diagnosis of breast cancer continues to decline beyond five years. Ten-year survival and beyond is also stage-dependent, with the best survival observed in women with early-stage disease.
4. Well-known estrogen-related risks for developing breast cancer include: early menstruation (at age 12 or younger); late menopause (after age 55); and no full-term pregnancy or first child after age 30.
5. More than 80 percent of biopsied breast abnormalities are proven noncancerous, but any breast lump must be evaluated by a physician.
6. Sometimes more than one mammogram may be necessary to evaluate an abnormality.
7. Some mammography centers are able to provide immediate interpretation of your mammogram. This service can help prevent anxiety caused by waiting days to hear your results.
8. The annual risk of a 70-year-old woman being diagnosed with breast cancer is three times that of a 40-year-old woman, and she has five times the risk of dying from breast cancer.
9. Early detection and treatment are keys to breast cancer survival. When breast cancer hasn’t strayed outside the breast, the five-year survival rate is close to 100%. So early detection through regular examinations is crucial.
10. You can check for possible signs of breast cancer. The three most common symptoms are: 1. Changes in the look or feel of the breast 2. Changes in the look or feel of the nipple 3. Nipple discharge
Don't forget to join us tomorrow morning at Lincoln Park on Broad Street Newark.
Source: Lifescript.com