Breast Cancer has garnered national attention over the last several years, with October deemed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985 by the American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of death from Cancer in women, according to the American Cancer Society. 

Women of all ages should promptly report any breast changes (lumps, pain, nipple discharge, etc.) to their medical provider. Breast self exam (BSE) is an option for any woman. Information for this story is provided by the American Cancer Society official website and the Breast Health Clinic at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS:

• 232,670 – Estimated number of new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2014

• 40,000 – Estimated number of women who will die from breast cancer each year

• 2.8 million – Number of breast cancer survivors in the United States

• 100 – Percent of patients who have 5-year Relative Survival Rate diagnosed at stage I

• 93 - Percent of patients who have 5-year Relative Survival Rate diagnosed at stage II

• 72 - Percent of patients who have 5-year Relative Survival Rate diagnosed at stage III

• 22 - Percent of patients who have 5-year Relative Survival Rate diagnosed at stage IV

*** Survival rates are often based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had the disease, but they cannot predict what will happen in any particular person's case.***

• 40 – Age when women should begin receiving annual mammograms

• 3 – Number of years women in their 20’s and 30’s should receive a clinical breast exam

DIAGNOSIS:

Women at high risk for breast cancer based on certain factors should get an MRI and a mammogram every year.

This includes women who:

• Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of about 20% to 25% or greater, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history (see below) 

• Have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation 

• Have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, but have not had genetic testing themselves

• Had radiation therapy to the chest when they were between the ages of 10 and 30 years

• Have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or have first-degree relatives with one of these syndromes 

For most women at high risk, screening with MRI and mammograms should begin at age 30 years and continue for as long as a woman is in good health.

The doctor reading a mammogram will look for several types of changes:

Calcifications are tiny mineral deposits within the breast tissue, which look like small white spots on the films and may or may not be caused by cancer.

A mass, which may occur with or without calcifications, is another change seen on a mammogram. Masses can be many things, including cysts (non-cancerous, fluid-filled sacs) and non-cancerous solid tumors (such as fibroadenomas), but they could also be cancer.

Cysts can be simple fluid-filled sacs (known as simple cysts) or can be partially solid (known as complex cysts). Simple cysts are benign and do not need to be biopsied. Any other type of mass (such as a complex cyst or a solid tumor) might need to be biopsied to be sure it is not cancer.

TREATMENT:

The main types of treatment for breast cancer are:

• Surgery

• Radiation therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Hormone therapy

• Targeted therapy

• Bone-directed therapy

Patients who have no detectable cancer after surgery are often given additional treatment to help keep the cancer from coming back known as adjuvant therapy. The goal of adjuvant therapy is to kill hidden cells.

Some patients are given Neoadjuvant therapy treatment, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy, before surgery. The goal of this treatment is to shrink the tumor in the hope it will allow a less extensive operation to be done.

LOCAL ASSISTANCE:

Camp Pendleton offers a variety of assistance at the Naval Hospital for those who may need mammograms, are entering treatment, survivors or those seeking more information. 

Located in the Radiology Department of NHCP is the Breast Health Clinic. They offer walk-in mammograms Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for women 40 and older. 

NHCP has also created a survivors’ wall detailing stories of breast cancer survivors. The display is located on the first floor of the hospital between the general surgery area and the Radiology Clinic.

For more information, please contact the Breast Health Clinic at 760-719-3742.