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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds for breast cancer research.
You or a family member may have been affected by this devastating disease, as an estimated 2.6 million women in the U.S. are living with, or have a history of, breast cancer. It is the most common type of cancer in women and the second most deadly.
Breast cancer starts from unregulated growth and division of cells starting in breast tissue ducts or glands, and is diagnosed as “in situ” when confined to the originating duct or gland. It is considered invasive when it has spread to surrounding tissue or lymph nodes, and metastatic when it has spread to distant organs.
The most common sign of breast cancer is a painless lump, though it may manifest as a bloody discharge, thickened or red skin, skin erosions or inversion of the nipple. When breast cancer is caught early (smaller size, more localized tissue) the treatment options can be less invasive and the survival rate is much higher.
As routine use of mammograms increased from the 1980s through the 1990s, more breast cancers were detected even before they could be felt. Early detection and improved treatments have led to improved survival. Statistics show decreasing deaths by 2 percent per year from 1990 to 2007. Improved cancer treatments include lumpectomies, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, hormonally targeted therapy, and radiation therapy, depending on the type of cancer cells and the extent of invasion.
Guidelines for screening for breast cancer have been established by several governing bodies. In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended mammograms every two years for women between 50 and 74 years old. The American Cancer Society and American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend clinical breast exams by your healthcare provider every three years for women 20 to 39; then clinical breast exams plus annual mammography beginning at age 40.
Monthly breast self exams have been re-emphasized, and women are encouraged to become familiar with the appearance and feel of their breasts as part of breast self awareness and notify their physician of any changes. In addition to routine screening, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, as well as reducing alcohol consumption have been linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer.
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the following events are scheduled in the KMC:
OCT. 13: The LRMC 5K Breast Cancer Awareness Run. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the track near Gate 4 and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Gas Station. The race begins at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded. Mammogram appointments can be booked at the event. Pre-registration will be held Saturday at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center for the run and raffle for gift baskets. For more information, call Becky Muenchow at 486-6791 or 06371-86-6791.
OCT. 13: The Rheinland-Pfalz Breast Cancer Survivors representatives will be at the KMCC with information on breast cancer
OCT. 21: A tea will be held at the Ramstein Community Club from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. A Bavarian tea set will be given to the first 30 people who RSVP. Maj. (Dr.) Penelope Harris, an oncologist from LRMC, and Lt. Col. (Dr.) Bradford Scanlon, an LRMC plastic surgeon, will be two of the guest speakers. Speakers will also include a breast cancer survivor. Tea, coffee and pastries will be served. There will be door prizes and baskets to be given away. Mammogram appointments can also be booked. For more information, call Marina Latiff at 486-6447 or 06371-86-6447.
