Breast Health and BreastScreen Victoria
This presentation looks at breast health and breast screening for the early detection of breast cancer
September 2014
Breast cancer
• 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime
• Early detection increases a woman’s chance of survival
• 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are aged 50+
CANCER IN VICTORIA: Statistics and trends 2010Victorian Cancer Registry, Cancer Council Victoria 2011, pg 37
New cases and deaths in 2011 for cancers in Victorian women
3499
Victorian Cancer Registry 2012
3748
1713
956
336698 765
2360
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
Breast Bowel Lung Ovary
New
cas
es/d
eath
s in
201
1
Type of Cancer
New cases
Deaths
616
What things have you been told may
cause breast cancer?
Known Risk Factors
• Being a woman
• Increasing age
• Family history
• Previous breast cancer
Risk factors
• Hormones
• Nulliparity
• Older age at first pregnancy
• Older age at menopause
• Weight
• Alcohol
No evidence
• An injury to the breast
• Deodorant
• Aluminium saucepans
• Mobile phones, microwaves
• Underwire Bras
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Reducing your risk
• Regular exercise
• Follow recommended alcohol consumption
• Maintain healthy body weight
Breast anatomy
Normal breast changes
What is normal?
Changes to the breasts can occur with:
• puberty
• menstrual cycle
• pregnancy and breastfeeding
• weight loss and gain
• menopause.
Breast awareness
Breast awareness is for all women of all ages
How?
• Become familiar with the normal look and feel of your own breasts
• There is no right or wrong way to do it
• See your doctor without delay if you find any changes that are not normal for you
Breast cancer
key facts
• cancer is abnormal cell growth and uncontrolled spread
• the most common invasive cancer among Australian women
• cannot be prevented
• can also occur in men but is rare
• usually grows slowly
• begins in the ducts or lobules of the breast
Recommendations for breast screening
• Target 50-74 year olds
• Every 2 years
• Complements Breast Awareness
• Without symptoms of breast cancer (Women with
symptoms go to GP)
BreastScreen program
Why women aged 50 to 74?
• Evidence shows screening this age group saves the most lives
• increasing age is one of the strongest risk factors
• mammograms are the most effective screening method for finding early breast cancer in this age group
• women in 40s and over 74 are still eligible for free screening with BreastScreen Victoria
What happens at BreastScreen Victoria?
• female radiographers
• positioning of breasts between two flat plates
• compression may cause some discomfort, but needed to
ensure quality of the mammogram and minimal radiation
exposure
• can ask for procedure to stop at any time
What happens after my screening appointment?
• mammograms read by two specialists
• results sent, within two-four weeks (woman and GP)
• BreastScreen will be in contact if further tests needed
• most women called back are not found to have cancer
• reminder sent for next screening mammogram
Results
• The vast majority of women will receive a ‘normal’ result
• A small percentage of women are called back for further
tests (approx. 5%)
• Being called back does not mean you have breast cancer
Benefits of BreastScreen
• Regular screening prevents deaths from breast cancer
• Breast screens can detect majority of cancers early – even
before they can be felt or noticed
• If breast cancer is found early, it is more likely to be small,
and successfully treated
• The earlier breast cancer is found, the better your chance
of surviving it
Limitations of BreastScreen
• Anxiety
• Over – treatment:
• Some women may be diagnosed with breast cancer that would not develop into a life-threatening cancer, therefore, some women may receive treatment that might not have been necessary.
•Exposure to radiation • Modern mammography machines use the smallest amount of radiation
possible while still getting a high quality X-ray picture. The radiation from screening (which involves two X-rays of each breast) is about the same as 18 weeks of exposure to natural radiation in the environment.
What can I do…
• Finding breast cancer early gives you the best chance of
successful treatment and recovery
• Be breast aware and see your doctor without delay if you
notice any unusual changes
• Make an appointment with BreastScreen Victoria if you are
aged 50-74
• Spread the message about breast awareness and screening
mammograms
For more information or to make an
appointment visit
breastscreen.org.au
Or call 13 20 50
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