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It seems like we've all been affected by breast cancer at some point in our lives, whether we have had it, or have had a family member or friend who's battled it. Every woman has a chance of getting breast cancer. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women and the disease we fear most. As scared as we are, you can try to remember that if you find breast cancer early, it can often be treated successfully. Many women have overcome breast cancer and are living life to its fullest!
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's authority on breast cancer. Contact them at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) or go to the following web site: http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/breast
Regular breast self-exam can help you know how your breasts normally feel and look, so you can notice any changes. When you find a change, you should see your health care provider. Most breast changes or lumps are not cancerous, but only a health care provider can tell you for sure. When breast cancer is found early, you have more treatment choices and a better chance of recovery. So, it is important to find breast cancer as early as possible.
Breast self-exam should not take the place of getting regular mammograms. Right now, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early and to improve your chances for survival.
You are looking for a lump or change that stands out as different from the rest of your breast tissue. If you find a lump or other change in your breast, either during breast self-exam or by chance, you should examine the other breast. If both breasts feel the same, the lumpiness is probably normal. As you get to know your breasts better by doing breast self-exams, you should be able to tell the difference between your normal lumpiness and what may be a change.
Besides a lump or swelling, other changes in your breast might be
Yes. There are several proper ways to examine your breasts. Ask your health care provider to teach you how to do a breast self-exam to make sure you are doing it correctly and thoroughly. The American Cancer Society also provides a document that shows the right way to examine your breasts. Visit their web site at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_6x_how_to_perform_a_breast_self_ exam_5.asp?sitearea =CRI&viewmode=print.
Remember that you should discuss any new lump or change with your health care provider. .
A breast self-exam is recommended every month a few days after your period ends. During this time, your breasts are less tender or swollen. It is important to do your breast self-exam at the same time every month.
A mammogram is a test that is done to look for any abnormalities, or problems, with a woman's breasts. The test uses a special x-ray machine to take pictures of both breasts. The results are recorded on film that your health care provider can examine.
Mammograms look for breast lumps and changes in breast tissue that may develop into problems over time. They can find small lumps or growths that a health care provider or woman can't feel when doing a physical breast exam. Breast lumps or growths can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). If a lump is found, a health care provider will order a biopsy, a test where a small amount of tissue is taken from the lump and area around the lump. The tissue is sent to a lab to look for cancer or changes that may mean cancer is likely to develop. Finding breast cancer early means that a woman has a better chance of surviving the disease. There are also more choices for treatment when breast cancer is found early.
There are two reasons mammograms are taken. Screening mammograms are done for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer. Diagnostic mammograms are done when a woman has symptoms of breast cancer or a breast lump. Diagnostic mammograms take longer than screening mammograms because more pictures of the breast are taken.
In January 2000, the FDA approved a new way of doing mammograms, called digital mammography. This technique records x-ray images on a computer, rather than film. It can reduce exposure to radiation, allow the person taking the x-ray to make adjustments without having to take another mammogram, and takes pictures of the entire breast even if the denseness of the breast tissue varies.
A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast. A high-quality mammogram, along with clinical breast exam (exam done by a professional health care provider) are the most effective tools for detecting breast cancer early.
You stand in front of a special x-ray machine. The person who takes the x-rays (always a woman) places your breasts (one at a time) between two plastic plates. The plates press your breast and make it flat. You will feel pressure on your breast for a few seconds. It may cause you some discomfort, feeling like squeezing or pinching. But, the flatter your breasts, the better the picture. Most often, two pictures are taken of each breastone from the side and one from above. The whole thing takes only a few minutes.
If you have breast implants, be sure to tell your mammography facility that you have them. You will need an x-ray technician who is trained in x-raying patients with implants. This is important because breast implants can hide some breast tissue, which could make if difficult for the radiologist to see breast cancer when looking at your mammograms. For this reason, to take a mammogram of a breast with an implant, the x-ray technician might gently lift the breast tissue slightly away from the implant.
Women over 40 should get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. This guideline was just re-issued by the federal government's U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. And, it is also the position of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Women who have had breast cancer or breast problems, or with a family history of breast cancer may need to start having mammograms at a younger age or more often. Talk to your health care provider about how often you should get a mammogram. Be aware that mammograms don't take the place of getting breast exams from a health care provider and examining your own breasts.
If you find a lump or see changes in your breast, talk to your health care provider right away no matter what your age. Your health care provider may order a mammogram for you to get a better look at your breast changes.
Be sure to get a mammogram from a facility certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These places must meet high standards for their x-ray machines and staff. Check out the FDA's web site on the Internet at: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mammography/certified.html for a list of FDA-certified mammography facilities. Some of these facilities also offer digital mammograms.
Your health care provider, local medical clinic, or local or state health department can tell you where to get no-cost or low-cost mammograms. Also, call the National Cancer Institute's toll free number 1-800-422-6237 for information on no-cost or low-cost mammograms.
First, check with the place you are having the mammogram for any special things you may need to do before you go. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
As with any medical test, mammograms can have limits. These limits include:
A "tumor" is an abnormal growth that can be "benign" or "malignant." Benign breast tumors do not threaten life and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant breast tumors are cancers that may threaten life and may spread to other parts of the body. A malignant tumor that grows into surrounding tissues is called "invasive." Invasive tumors are more likely to spread to other parts of the body than non-invasive tumors.
Each breast is composed of up to 20 sections called "lobes." Each lobe is made up of many smaller "lobules," where milk is made. Lobes and lobules are connected by small tubes called "ducts" that can carry milk to the nipple.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a benign tumor that consists of abnormal cells in the lining of a lobule. Even though "carcinoma" refers to cancer, LCIS is not a cancer and there is no evidence that the abnormal cells of LCIS will spread like cancer. Instead, having LCIS means that a woman has an increased risk of developing breast cancer in either breast. Despite the increased risk, most women with LCIS will never get breast cancer. No treatment is necessary and surgery is not usually recommended for LCIS. Occasionally women with LCIS choose bilateral mastectomy as a preventive measure, but most surgeons consider this inappropriate. Some women choose to take tamoxifen to decrease the likelihood of breast cancer. LCIS is sometimes called "Stage 0" breast cancer, but that is not really accurate because it is not really cancer.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is made up of abnormal cells in the lining of a duct. It is a non-invasive malignant tumor, and is also called intraductal carcinoma. The abnormal cells have not spread beyond the duct and have not invaded the surrounding breast tissue. However, DCIS can progress and become invasive. There is no official recommended surgical treatment for DCIS, although a national Consensus Conference held in Philadelphia in 1999 concluded that "most women with DCIS" are eligible for breast-conserving surgery and that less than one in four require mastectomy. The addition of radiation therapy helps prevent recurrence of DCIS and the development of invasive breast cancer. If the DCIS is spread out or is in more than one location, some women will choose to undergo a mastectomy. In the treatment of DCIS, underarm lymph nodes usually are not removed with either breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy. Tamoxifen is sometimes used in combination with one of these two surgical treatment options.
DCIS is sometimes called Stage 0 breast cancer because it is not invasive.
Invasive breast cancer is categorized as Stage I, II, III, or IV. Stages I and II are considered "early stage" invasive breast cancer and generally refer to smaller tumors that have not yet spread to distant parts of the body.
After the health professional explains surgical options, such as breast-conserving surgery (often called lumpectomy) with radiation, modified radical mastectomy, or simple mastectomy, these are the questions most patients will want to ask.
Most women who are newly diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer have a choice: breast-conserving surgery (such as lumpectomy) or a mastectomy (also called a modified radical mastectomy). The decision is not between your breast and your life. Women with early-stage breast cancer who undergo breast-conserving surgery with radiation therapy live just as long as those who undergo mastectomy. Life expectancy is the same regardless of which choice a woman makes.
When the patient is told that the survival rate for lumpectomy with radiation is the same as for mastectomy, some women may be surprised or skeptical.
Thanks to early detection, between 70 and 75 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer today are possible candidates for lumpectomy or other breast-conserving surgery. Yet, half of these women undergo mastectomies instead. Some of those women are making a well-informed choice. Some do not know that they have a choice. And, because of the costs of health care, some cannot afford to make the choice they would prefer.
Unfortunately, cost sometimes prevents women from choosing breast-conserving surgery. Lumpectomy followed by radiation costs more in the short-term than mastectomy, and some insurance plans do not cover all the expenses of the lumpectomy or the radiation therapy. Reconstruction of the breast after mastectomy adds to the cost, but the law requires that insurance covers that expense. Despite the slightly higher cost of lumpectomy and radiation, that choice is actually less expensive if you look at costs for the five years after the initial diagnosis. Lumpectomy preserves the breast and there are few additional costs when the radiation treatment is completed, whereas breast reconstruction after a mastectomy may require several surgeries that add to the cost over time. This information may help women who are concerned about cost to decide what is best for them.
Another reason why women choose mastectomies is because they do not want to undergo radiation therapy or are unable to arrange radiation treatments. Radiation therapy is usually an outpatient procedure performed over a period of at least 5 weeks, and some women are not able to make that commitment. Some women live far away from radiation facilities, or can't afford to take the time for daily treatments. Others may have health conditions such as lupus or heart disease that prevent them from undergoing radiation. Since radiation reduces the chances of recurrence for women choosing lumpectomy, it is important that patients and their doctors consider the required time commitment to radiation therapy before deciding which surgical procedure is best for them.
Fear is another reason why some women choose mastectomy. Some women are afraid of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy does cause side effects, but they are usually mildlike fatigue or skin irritation. Only very infrequently does radiation therapy induce more severe side effects.
Fear of recurrence of breast cancer is another reason why some women prefer a mastectomy to a lumpectomy. Some women assume that breast cancer won't return if the breast is removed. However, women may have a recurrence on the chest wall where the breast was removed because some breast tissue remains even following a mastectomy. For women who choose breast-conserving surgery with radiation, research clearly shows that radiation reduces recurrence for most women with early-stage breast cancer. The risk of cancer returning in the same breast is very low. After 12 years, only one out of approximately 10 women will have had a recurrence of cancer in the same breast. Most importantly, even if breast cancer does recur in the same breast, that does not reduce the woman's chances for a healthy recovery. However, a recurrence could require additional surgery, and a woman may decide to have a mastectomy at that time.
Many women want to make the surgical choice that will enable them to "get it over with and get on with my life." Many of these women choose mastectomies, in order to avoid the several weeks of radiation that is required for lumpectomy patients. However, even mastectomy patients may find that recovery takes longer than expected. Lymph nodes are removed with both lumpectomy and mastectomy, and the pain from arm swelling that can result may last a long time and be debilitating. If chosen, breast reconstruction after mastectomy often requires multiple additional surgeries and significant recovery time. Breast implant manufacturers have informed the FDA that one in four patients whose breasts were reconstructed with implants have at least one additional surgery within three years. For women undergoing TRAM flaps and other reconstruction procedures, the pain from surgery can last for months.
"Statistically insignificant" means that any difference could have occurred by chance, and not necessarily because one treatment is better than another. It does not mean the difference is small it means it is not known whether the difference (however large or small) is related to the treatment or if it occurred by chance. It is necessary to conduct studies of thousands of breast cancer patients to determine whether small differences are "real" or occurred by chance. The studies that have been conducted seem to indicate that survival rates really are the same for women with early-stage breast cancer, regardless of the type of surgery.
Chemotherapy is not recommended for most women with early stage breast cancer. If chemotherapy is recommended, it can improve survival and decrease the risk of breast cancer recurrence. There are several different kinds of chemotherapy, and it is sometimes used in combination with tamoxifen. Chemotherapy is usually given after surgery, but there are exceptions. For example, a woman with Stage III breast cancer may undergo chemotherapy before surgery to shrink a tumor so that she can undergo breast-conserving surgery.
Most women who have breast cancer in their families will never get breast cancer themselves even if a mother or sister has died of breast cancer. In fact, even a woman with the mutated gene for breast cancer may never get breast cancer, even though her risk is much greater than other women with "breast cancer in their families" who don't have the mutated gene.
A family history of breast cancer increases your risk of breast cancer, but it is not necessary to choose more aggressive treatment or more radical surgery just because you have a family member with breast cancer. Research shows that a strong family history of breast cancer does not affect local recurrence rates or overall survival among women who undergo breast-conserving surgery. So family history should not influence your choice of either mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery.
Women diagnosed with breast cancer who have a family history of breast cancer are at increased risk of getting breast cancer in their healthy breast. Sometimes these women decide to have the other removed to prevent cancer in the future. Occasionally, women with several close relatives with breast cancer decide to have both their breasts removed as a preventive measure, even if they have never been diagnosed with breast cancer. Removing one or two healthy breasts reduces the risk of future breast cancer, but it does not eliminate the risk completely. The disadvantage is that the surgery will be unnecessary for most women who choose it, because most women who have a breast removed as a preventive measure would never have gotten breast cancer even if the breast (or breasts) were not removed.
Instead of surgery, there are other strategies that can prevent breast cancer, and it is advisable to obtain a second professional opinion before deciding to undergo a mastectomy to prevent, rather than treat, breast cancer.
Approximately one of every ten patients who are treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy will have a recurrence of breast cancer in the same breast within 12 years. Recurrence in the same breast usually requires additional surgery, but does not affect chances of survival compared to mastectomy. However, fear of recurrence of breast cancer is the reason why many women prefer a mastectomy to a lumpectomy. It seems rather obvious that you can't get cancer in your breast if your breast is removed. However, women who have undergone a mastectomy can still experience a recurrence on the chest wall where the breast was removed. Recurrence on the chest wall following a mastectomy is slightly less likely than recurrence in the same breast following a lumpectomy and radiation.
As we explained earlier, recurrence of cancer in the other breast or elsewhere in the body does not differ between mastectomy patients and lumpectomy patients.
In a lumpectomy, the surgeon removes the cancer (the "lump") and a narrow area of normal breast tissue surrounding the lump (the "margin"). The goal is to obtain "clean margins" breast tissue around the tumor that is completely free of cancer.
Some breast cancers are sensitive to the female hormone, estrogen, and are called "estrogen receptor-positive." The drug tamoxifen interferes with estrogen and when breast cancer cells are sensitive to estrogen, tamoxifen can inhibit their growth.
Studies have shown that tamoxifen improves the chances of survival and helps prevent recurrence of breast cancer, if the cancer cells are estrogen receptor-positive. Tamoxifen is not an effective treatment for breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-negative, and therefore should not be taken for those cancers. Tamoxifen may have unpleasant side effects that are similar to menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, and weight gain. Tamoxifen also slightly increases the risk of uterine cancer and blood clots. Studies suggest that Tamoxifen should not be taken for more than five years.
Breast-conserving surgery is also known as lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, segmental mastectomy, or quadrantectomy. These surgeries remove the cancer but leave most of the breast intact. In a lumpectomy, the surgeon removes the cancer and some normal breast tissue surrounding the lump in order to obtain "margins" around the tumor that are free of cancer. The other types of breast-conserving surgery remove a somewhat larger area of the healthy breast. The appearance of the breast will depend on the size of the breast compared to the size of the cancer and the amount of healthy breast tissue that is removed. The appearance of the scar depends on the type of surgery and the location of the cancer.
Depending on the size of the cancer and the margins, and a woman's response to radiation, a breast may look almost identical after a lumpectomy, or it may look quite different. Radiation can cause a skin condition that looks like sunburn. This usually fades, but in some women it never goes away completely. It is also true that some women find that radiation makes their breast feel hard or firm. Again, this may last just a few months, or longer. However, firm or hard breasts are even more common among women who have implants after a mastectomy.
Radiation therapy has improved greatly through the years, and the doses are much lower than they used to be. The bottom line is that women who have radiation therapy after lumpectomy are less likely to have a cancer recurrence in the same breast, and they live just as long as women who undergo mastectomy without radiation. There are exceptions: women who are pregnant do not undergo radiation treatment because it is dangerous to the fetus, and radiation can be harmful to women who have certain diseases, such as lupus.
Most surgeons recommend removal of the nipple because cancer cells can grow there. Although rarely done, it is possible to undergo a subcutaneous mastectomy, and save the nipple, if the cancer is not located near the nipple. A subcutaneous mastectomy is more likely than a total mastectomy to leave breast cells behind that could become cancerous. Neither the nipple nor the breast will have the same sensations after a mastectomy that they do before a mastectomy, because the nerves are cut.
When considering what kind of surgery to have, it is important to know that there are potential side effects common to all surgical procedures. Any surgical procedure carries a risk of infection, poor wound healing, bleeding, or a reaction to the anesthesia. Also, pain and tenderness in the affected area is common, usually in the short-term. Because nerves may be injured or cut during surgery, most
women will experience numbness and tingling in the chest, underarm, shoulder, and/or upper arm. Women who undergo lumpectomy usually find that these changes in sensation improve over 1 or 2 years, but may never completely resolve.
Most women who have lumpectomy with radiation will still have sensation in the breast, whereas women who have had a mastectomy with reconstruction either with implants or her own tissue will not have much (or perhaps any) sensation in their breast mounds, because the nerves to the breast skin have been cut. And, although nipples can be reconstructed, they will not have sensation.
Removal of lymph nodes under the arms is usually performed with both lumpectomy and mastectomy. This can lead to pain and arm swelling ("lymphedema") in up to 30% of patients.
The side effects of treatment vary for each person. Some people may experience many side effects or complications, others may experience very few. Pain medication, physical therapy, and other strategies can help.
Most women can undergo at least part of the breast reconstruction procedure at the same time as their mastectomy. Breast reconstruction can be done later as well. For some kinds of reconstruction, more than one surgery is needed. Different breast reconstruction procedures have various complications that need to be discussed before a decision is made.
In many cases, a plastic surgeon can change the size of the breasts. Some plastic surgeons are more skilled than others at making the other breast match. Sometimes, it would be necessary to perform surgery on the healthy breast to help make them match. Usually, reconstruction with a woman's own tissue has a more natural appearance than implants, which tend to be higher and rounder than a natural breast. Women who are seriously considering reconstructive surgery should have a full consultation with the plastic surgeon before having a mastectomy, and can bring a list of questions to ask.
These are questions that each woman should ask, and doctors should be prepared to answer. There are several different kinds of physicians and health professionals that are involved in treatment, and this should be clearly explained to the patient.
Most women who have a lumpectomy followed by radiation will not have a recurrence in the same breast. A recurrence in the same breast does not reduce a woman's chance for a healthy recovery. It probably, however, will require surgery, and a woman may decide to have a mastectomy at that time, because radiation is not recommended a second time. Breast reconstruction is possible after radiation but the surgery may be more difficult to perform, and this should be discussed with a plastic surgeon.
Many doctors will answer these questions honestly. However, a doctor's opinions may be affected by age, training, and other personal influences. For example, research shows that older doctors, male doctors, doctors working in community hospitals, and doctors in the South and Midwest are more likely to recommend mastectomies. Younger doctors, female doctors, doctors working at university medical centers, and doctors working in the Northeast are more likely to recommend lumpectomies.
These differences are probably related to the kind of training a doctor has had. Doctors who were trained within the last 20 years, and work at university-based medical centers, may be more aware of the recent research indicating that lumpectomies are just as safe as mastectomies, and may have received more training on how to perform a lumpectomy. However, there are certainly older doctors and doctors at community hospitals who are very well informed about current treatment options, and well trained to perform them.
It is important for you to feel comfortable discussing your preferences and participating in the decisions about your surgical treatment. Research shows that women are happier if they help make treatment decisions, rather than just following their doctor's recommendations.
Your cancer treatment involves several important decisions. A second opinion may help you feel more confident of making the decisions that are best for you. Asking for a second opinion is always appropriate, and well-qualified physicians are not offended by it. And, feel free to ask your doctor for copies of your medical records.
The Pap test (also called a Pap smear) checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). The Pap test can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cells, or cancer.
A Pap test can save your life. It can find cancer of the cervixa common cancer in women before it moves to other parts of your body (becomes invasive). If caught early, treatment for cancer of the cervix can be easier and the chances of curing it are far greater. Pap tests can also pick up infections and inflammation, and abnormal cells that can change into cancer cells.
Women who are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, are more at risk for developing cancer of the cervix and other cervical diseases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that HIV positive women have an initial Pap test, and then another one 6 months later. If both of these Pap tests show no cancer or other problems, then a Pap test can be done only once a year.
Women who have had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus) should talk with their health care provider about whether they need to continue having routine Pap tests. If the hysterectomy was done because a woman had cancer or a precancerous condition, the end of the vagina still needs to be tested for abnormal changes. Women who have had both their uterus and cervix removed may not need routine Pap tests. Women who have had only the uterus removed (and still have their cervix) need regular Pap tests. It is important for all women who have had a hysterectomy to have regular pelvic exams.
Many health care providers tell women to get a Pap test every year. But, your health care provider may recommend a Pap test every 1 to 3 years after you have had 3 normal Pap tests for 3 years in a row. Talk with your health care provider about what is best for you.
For two days before the test, you should not douche or use vaginal creams, suppositories, foams or vaginal medications (like for a yeast infection). It is also best to not use any vaginal deodorant sprays or powders for two days before your test. And, do not have sexual intercourse within 24 hours of your test. All of these can cause inaccurate test results by washing away or hiding abnormal cells. You should not have a Pap test when you have your period. The best time to have one is between 10 and 20 days after the first day of your last period.
Your health care provider can do a Pap test during a pelvic exam. It is a quick test that takes only a few minutes. You will be asked to lie down on an exam table and put your feet in holders called stirrups, letting your knees fall to the side. A sheet will cover your legs and stomach. The health care provider will put an instrument called a speculum into your vagina, opening it to see the cervix and to do the Pap test. She or he will use a special stick, brush or swab to take a few cells from inside and around the cervix. The cells are placed on a small glass slide, then checked by a lab to make sure they are healthy. While painless for most women, a Pap test can cause discomfort for some women.
If the cells are okay, no treatment is needed. If an infection is present, treatment is prescribed. If the cells look abnormal, or not healthy, more tests may be needed. A Pap test is not 100% right all the time, so it is always important to talk to your health care provider about your results.
A health care provider may tell you that your Pap test result was "abnormal." Cells from the cervix can sometimes look abnormal but this does not mean you have cancer. Remember, abnormal conditions do not always turn into cancer. And, some conditions are more likely than are others to turn into cancer. If you have abnormal results, be sure to talk with your health care provider to find out what they mean and what you need to do (if anything) about it.
If the Pap test shows something confusing or a minor change in the cells of the cervix, the test may be done again. If the test shows a major change in the cells of the cervix, the health care provider may perform a colposcopy. This is a procedure done in an office or clinic with an instrument (called a colposcope) that acts like a microscope, allowing the health care provider to closely see the vagina and the cervix. Your health care provider may also take a small amount of tissue from the cervix (called a biopsy) to examine for any abnormal cells, which can be a sign of cancer.
Pap tests are not always 100 percent accurate. False positive and false negative results can happen. This can upset and confuse a woman. Knowing what these types of results mean can help a woman to better protect her health.
A false positive Pap test happens when a woman is told she has abnormal cells (on and around her cervix), but the cells are in fact normal. A false positive result means that there is no problem. A false negative Pap test happens when a woman is told her cells are normal but, in fact, there is a change in the normal, healthy cells. This means there may be a problem and there may be a need for more tests. There are many things that can interfere with accurate Pap test results. This is why women need to be sure to get regular Pap tests. Having regular Pap tests increases a woman's chances that any problems will be picked up over time.
While the standard Pap test is very good at detecting problems, new methods are being developed to improve the accuracy of Pap tests. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several new methods to help reduce false negative Pap test results. One is called the Thin-Prep Pap test, where cervical cells are placed in a different way on the microscope slide than with the standard Pap test. This may make it easier to detect abnormal cells. Other methods use computers to scan the cervical cells to look for abnormal cells. Two computer "rescreening" methods have been approved by the FDAPAPNET and the AutoPap 300 QC. These new methods cost more than the standard Pap test and are not covered by all health insurance. Research is being done to find out if they are in fact more accurate than the standard Pap test.
One type of STD, called HPV, or the humanpapilloma virus, has been linked to cancer of the cervix. HPV can cause wart-like growths on the genitals. When it is not treated or happens frequently, HPV can increase a woman's chances of developing cancer of the cervix. HPV is a very common STD, especially in younger women and women with more than one sexual partner.
Any woman can get cancer of the cervix. But, the chances of getting cancer of the cervix increase when a woman:
Cervical cancer is cancer in the cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows during a woman's pregnancy. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina (birth canal), which leads to the outside of the body.
Cervical cancer is a disease that can be very serious. However, it is a disease that you can help prevent. Cervical cancer occurs when normal cells in the cervix change into cancer cells. This normally takes several years to happen, but it can also happen in a very short period of time. The good news is that there are ways to help prevent cervical cancer. By getting regular Pap tests and pelvic exams, your health care provider can find and treat the changing cells before they turn into cancer.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's authority on cervical cancer. Contact them at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) or go to the following web site: http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/cervix
Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't function right, divide very fast, and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor. Cancer of the uterus is cancer in the womb, the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows during a woman's pregnancy. There are different types of uterine cancers. Two types are endometrial cancer and uterine sarcomas. In the United States, endometrial cancer is a common cancer of the female reproductive system. This type of cancer happens when cancer begins in the tissue lining the uterus (endometrium). Uterine sarcomas occur when cancer grows in the muscles or other supporting tissues in the uterus. Uterine sarcomas account for only a small portion of cancers of the uterus.
Some women who get uterine cancer have certain risk factors, or things in their life that cause them to have a higher chance of getting this disease. But there are women who get uterine cancer who do not have any of these high risk factors. Uterine cancer usually occurs after menopause. But it may also occur around the time that menopause begins. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of uterine cancer. Bleeding may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow that gradually contains more blood. Women should not assume that abnormal vaginal bleeding is part of menopause. If you have abnormal vaginal bleeding after menopause, talk with your health care provider.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's authority on uterine cancer. Contact them at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) or go to the following web site: http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/uterus.
Ovarian cancer is cancer in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs located in the pelvis. The ovaries make female hormones and store eggs that, if fertilized by sperm, can develop into a baby. Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Tumors found in the ovaries may be non-cancerous tissue growths (cysts) or cancerous growths that may spread to other parts of the body.
About 1 in every 57 women in the United States will develop ovarian cancer. Most cases occur in women over the age of 50, but this disease can also affect younger women. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better a woman's chance for recovery. But ovarian cancer is hard to detect early. Many times, women with ovarian cancer have no symptoms or just mild symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage. Scientists are studying ways to detect ovarian cancer before symptoms develop.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's authority on ovarian cancer. Contact them at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) or go to the following web site: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/ovary
The colon and rectum are parts of the body's digestive system, which removes nutrients from food and stores waste until it passes out of the body. Together, the colon and rectum form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also called the large bowel). Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer. Cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancers affecting either of these organs also may be called colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer affects an equal number of women and men each year, and is most often found in people over the age of 50. Excluding skin cancer, it is the third most diagnosed cancer for women, following breast and lung cancers. And it is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Colorectal cancer is often called a "silent" disease since symptoms don't always develop until it is difficult to cure. The good news is that you can help prevent colorectal cancer, and it is mostly curable when it is found early through regular screening tests.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's authority on colorectal cancer. Contact them at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) or go to the following web site: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/colon-and-rectum
The lungs, a pair of sponge-like, cone-shaped organs, are part of the body's respiratory system. When we breathe in, the lungs take in oxygen, which our cells need to live and carry out their normal functions. When we breathe out, the lungs get rid of carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of the body's cells. Cancers that begin in the lungs are divided into two major types, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, depending on how the cells look under a microscope. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different ways and is treated differently.
Did you know that lung cancer kills more women every year than breast cancer? Researchers continue to study the causes of lung cancer and to search for ways to prevent it. But, about 90% of all lung cancer deaths among women are from smoking. Even though we know its effects are harmful, 1 out of every 5 women in the U.S. still smokes. We already know that the best way to prevent lung cancer is to quit (or never start) smoking. The sooner a person quits smoking the better. Even if you have been smoking for many years, it's never too late to benefit from quitting.
The skin is the body's largest organ. It protects us against heat, light, injury, and infection. It regulates body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. The two most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The most serious kind of skin cancer is called melanoma.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The number of new cases of skin cancer appears to be rising each year. The number of deaths due to skin cancer, though, is fairly small. The good news is that skin cancer is now almost 100% curable if found early and treated promptly.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as sunlamps and tanning booths, can also cause skin cancer. Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greatest for people who have fair skin that freckles easily often those with red or blond hair and blue or light-colored eyes. Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun's damaging effects begin at an early age. So, protection should start in childhood to prevent skin cancer later in life.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's authority on skin cancer. Contact them at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) or go to the following web site: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/skin.
American Academy of Dermatology
Phone: 847-330-0230
Internet Address: http://www.aad.org
American Cancer Society
Phone: (800)-ACS-2345
Internet Address: http://www.cancer.org
American College of Gastroenterology
Phone: (301) 652-3890
Internet Address: http://www.acg.gi.org
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Resource Center
Phone Number(s): (800) 762-2264 x 192 (for publications requests only)
Internet Address: http://www.acog.org/
Internet Address: http://breasthealth.cancer.gov
American Lung Association
Phone: (800) 586-4872
Internet Address: http://www.lungusa.org/
BreastCare
Phone: (501) 661-2000
Internet: http://www.arbreastcare.com/
Cancer Information Service, NCI, NIH, HHS
Phone Number(s): (800) 422-6237
Internet Address: http://cis.nci.nih.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cancer Prevention and Control Program
Phone: (888) 842-6355
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer
Colon Cancer Alliance
Phone: (413) 383-7603
Internet Address: http://www.ccalliance.org
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
Phone: (800) 444-4441
Internet Address: http://www.wcn.org/gcf
National "Get A Mammogram: Do It For Yourself, Do It For Your Family" Campaign
(brochures in English, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Phone Number(s): (800) 4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
Phone number: 1-888-842-6355 (select option 7),
Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm
Internet Address: http://breasthealth.cancer.gov
National Breast Cancer Coalition
Phone: (800) 622-2838
Internet: http://www.natlbcc.org/
National Cancer Institute
Cancer Information Service
Phone: (800) 422-6237
Internet Address: http://cis.nci.nih.gov
National Cancer Institute Smoking Quitline
Phone: (877) 448-7848
Internet Address: http://www.smokefree.gov
National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service
Phone: (800) 422-6237
Internet Address: http://www.nci.nih.gov/
National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC)
Phone Number(s): (800) 685-5531
Internet Address: http://www.nccc-online.org/
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Phone: (561) 393-0005
Internet Address: http://www.ovarian.org
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Phone: (561) 393-0005
Internet Address: http://www.ovarian.org
National Skin Cancer Prevention Education Program
Phone: (770) 488-4751
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nscpep/index.htm
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Phone: (800)-462-9273
Internet Address: http://www.komen.org
The National Center for Human Genome Research, NIH
Phone: (301) 402-0911
Internet Address: http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/
The National Center for Policy Research for Women & Families "Breast Cancer Patients Have Choices!" project
Internet: http://www.center4policy.org.
The Skin Cancer Foundation
Phone: 212-725-5751
Internet Address: http://www.skincancer.org
Tobacco Information and Prevention Source (TIPS)
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC
Phone: (800) CDC-1311
Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco