WomensServices <strong>Health</strong><strong>Partners</strong> Breast Cancer Awareness What you need to know... Each year, nearly 200,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer. In recent years, testing for breast cancer has improved significantly, which has allowed for many cases to be caught earlier—increasing a patient’s chances of recovery. While no one knows exactly what causes breast cancer, we do know that certain risk factors are linked to the disease. These risk factors include: Age As with many other diseases, your risk of breast cancer increases with age. About two out of three invasive breast cancers are found in women 55 or older. Family History Women who have a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer have a nearly twice the risk of developing the disease. Smoking Smoking is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. There may also be a link between heavy secondhand smoke exposure and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Alcohol Use Research consistently shows that drinking alcoholic beverages – beer, wine, and liquor – increases a woman’s risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Being Overweight Overweight and obese women have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer compared to women who maintain a healthy weight, especially after menopause. Lack of Exercise Research shows a link between exercising regularly at a moderate or intense level for 4 to 7 hours per week and a lower risk of breast cancer. But risk factors don’t tell us everything. Having a risk factor, or even several, doesn’t mean that a woman will get breast cancer. Some women who have one or more risk factors never get the disease. And most women who do get breast cancer don’t have any risk factors (other than being a woman and growing older). Some risk factors have a greater impact than other ones, and your risk for breast cancer can change over time, thanks to factors like as aging or lifestyle. Here to Help Breast Cancer is a life-changing diagnosis, and CMHP is with our patients every step of the way—from diagnosis through treatment. Mammography, the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage, is available at Springfield Regional Imaging Center. Equipped with the most advanced imaging technology including digital mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI and computer aided detection, the Imaging Center detects health issues before they become problems. Pink Ribbon Society This group, facilitated by breast cancer survivors, provides a caring atmosphere in which women in all stages of survival can reach out to each other, offer help in coping, and have the opportunity to openly discuss their experience with breast cancer. Meetings are the 1 st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Cancer Center, 148 West North Street in Springfield. For more information contact Ann Hembree at 323-5001, ext. 5567. Look Good…Feel Better Offered by the American Cancer Society, this program teaches women how to cope with skin and hair changes that can occur during cancer treatments. Patients receive a free kit of skin care and make-up products. Evening sessions are the 4 th Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. (No meeting in December). Morning meetings are also available on a quarterly basis. Both are at the Cancer Center. Pre-registration is requested. Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. Breast cancer requires far more than just clinical care. Springfield Regional Cancer Center and Springfield Regional Imaging Center have partnered to offer a Breast <strong>Health</strong> Specialist program that offers expertise and support to a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient. The breast health specialist assists patients by offering a comprehensive and personal approach to the diagnosis, management and treatment of breast cancer and provides breast cancer patients with support they and their families need throughout and beyond their cancer care. Caring Friends Caring Friends provides information and support to anyone who has a present or past diagnosis of cancer, as well as their loved ones. Meetings are the 3 rd Tuesday of the month at 12 p.m. at the Cancer Center. For more information contact Ann Hembree at 323-5001, ext. 5567. Our Breast <strong>Health</strong> Specialist, Valerie Briner, RN, can help schedule and keep medical appointments, arrange follow-up care, coordinate and streamline insurance paperwork, and identify local resources and appropriate support. “I see many women with a very high level of anxiety. I try to decrease their anxiety as soon as I meet them in the waiting room,” says Valerie. I love teaching, which is a huge part of what I do. It’s incredibly rewarding to develop a relationship with a patient that can affect his or her life in such a positive way.” Breast Cancer today is not what it was 20 years ago. Survival rates are climbing thanks to greater awareness, more early detection and advances in treatment. For roughly 200,000 Americans who are diagnosed with Breast Cancer each year, there are many reasons to be hopeful. You’re not alone in your fight against breast cancer. In addition to state-of-the-art cancer care, Springfield Regional Cancer Center offers a variety of resources and groups. MammaCare Breast Self Exam Training Learn the recommended breast self exam method Mamma- Care, from a MammaCare-trained Breast <strong>Health</strong> Specialist. Call 342-5975 for information or to schedule a class. Lymphedema Education Program Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of lymphedema. This program is presented by a lymphedema expert from Excel Rehabilitation. The next program is scheduled for November 1 at 2:30 p.m. Call Ann Hembree at 323-5001, ext. 5567 for additional dates and times. 4 <strong>Health</strong><strong>Partners</strong> • Fall 2012 Community-Mercy.org 5