Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Roughly 1 in 8 U.S. women will get the disease. Worldwide, more than 450,000 women die every year from breast cancer. Men can also get breast cancer, though it is far more common in women.

Doctors still do not know the exact causes of breast cancer. It is not contagious. Breast cancer does not develop from touching, bumping, or bruising one’s breast. What we do know is that there appear to be some common risk factors among women who have developed breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease. For breast cancer, some risk factors are behavioral, and can be avoided. Most cannot.

If you have one or more risk factors, it does not mean that you will develop breast cancer. Many women with risk factors never develop the disease. Talk to your doctor if you think you are at risk. Learn about prevention methods, such as drinking less alcohol and getting more exercise.

• Age: The risk of getting breast cancer increases as you get older. Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are more than 60 years of age. If you had your first child later in life, then your risk of developing the disease is higher.
• Breast density: When you get a mammogram (a breast x-ray), you will see both dense and fatty tissue. If your breasts have more dense tissue then you may be at higher risk for breast cancer. This may be because early breast cancer is harder to detect in very dense breasts.
• DES (diethylstilbestrol): Between 1940 and 1971, DES was proscribed to some pregnant women in the United States to prevent miscarriage. If you took DES during pregnancy, you may have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. DES is no longer given to pregnant women
• Family health history: If your mother, father, sister, or daughter had breast cancer, then you are at greater risk of developing the disease. If your family member developed breast cancer before age 50, then your risk is even higher. Your risk of developing cancer may be higher if other relatives (on either side of your family) have had the disease.
• Personal health history: If you have had breast cancer in one breast, then you are at greater risk of cancer in the other breast.
• Radiation therapy to the chest: If you have had radiation therapy to your chest and breasts before age 30, you may be at an increased risk for breast cancer.
• Menopause history: If you go through menopause after age 55, you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Women who take menopausal hormone therapy for many years are also at a higher risk for breast cancer. If you are overweight or obese after menopause, your chance of developing breast cancer is higher.
• Menstrual history: If you had your first menstrual period before the age of 12, you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
• Race: Caucasian (white) women have higher rates of breast cancer diagnoses than do African American/black, Hispanic/Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native women.

• Physical activity: If you are not physically active throughout your life, you may be at greater risk for breast cancer
• Alcohol consumption: The more you drink, the higher your risk of developing breast cancer
• Reproductive history: Women who have given birth are at a lower risk of developing breast cancer

A mammogram is a breast x-ray. It uses very low levels of radiation, and is very safe for you. Getting a mammogram can help your doctor identify breast cancer early. When this disease is caught early, you have the best chance of fighting it!

A mammogram lasts fewer than 15 minutes.

During your mammogram, your doctor or nurse will put one of your breasts between 2 plastic plates and take a picture (x-ray) of it. They will repeat this on your other breast. Some women find mammograms uncomfortable, but the procedure aims to minimize this discomfort.

When should I get a mammogram?

HPSM wants you to know that if you have full HPSM insurance (not ACE), are between 40 and 50 years old, and want a mammogram, you can have one! If you have a family history of breast cancer, or you are concerned about breast cancer, you can request that your physician order a mammogram and HPSM will pay for it.

Make getting a mammogram a key health goal. Get one every year starting at age 50 (or earlier) until age 75 (or longer—it’s up to you). Aim to do it every year around your birthday. Think of it as a special gift for yourself—the gift of keeping yourself healthy—for your loved ones and for you.

If you find a small lump or lumps inside your breast, talk to your doctor as soon as you can. Not all lumps are cancer, but you should be examined. If your doctor finds a lump, he or she will run tests to see if the lump is cancer.

To test the lump, your doctor may take a small bit of tissue from it. This is called a biopsy.

If you notice any of these changes, talk to your doctor immediately:

• A lump in the breast
• A change in size, shape, or feel of the breast
• Fluid (called discharge) from a nipple

What should I ask my doctor?

Not sure where to start? Talk to your doctor first about getting a mammogram. Here are some sample questions to help you get started:

• Based on my family history, do I have risk factors?
• What can I do to lower my risk?
• What are my chances of getting breast cancer?
• What are the positives and negatives of getting mammograms before age 50? After age 74?
• If I get a mammogram, how long will it take to get the results?
• If I don’t hear back from you about the results of my mammogram, should I assume everything is okay?

• What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer
• Mammography for Women with Disabilities

A support group for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Women can attend during or after treatment.