October 2013 “School of Wellness”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
There is an overwhelming amount of information about Breast Cancer, especially in the month of October. The
effort behind this global campaign is to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer. Greater
knowledge about Breast Cancer can lead to earlier detection which is associated with higher long-term survival
rates. Here are some important facts about Breast Cancer to help you gain knowledge and empower you and your
loves ones.
Can Breast Cancer be detected before any symptoms have developed? Absolutely! Breast cancer typically
produces NO symptoms when the tumor is small and most easily cured. Pain does not indicate the presence or
absence of breast cancer. Most masses seen on a mammogram are not cancerous, do not grow uncontrollably or
spread, and are not life-threating.
What are some warning signs or symptoms of breast cancer? Different people have different warning signs for
breast cancer. Some people do not have any signs or symptoms at all. Symptoms include:
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A new lump in the breast or underarm (armpit), thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
Irritation or dimpling of breast skin, redness or flaky skin in the nipple area of the breast.
Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
Any change in the size or the shape of the breast and pain in any area of the breast.
Keep in mind that some of these warning signs can happen with other conditions that are not cancer. If you have
any signs that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away.
How many cases and deaths are estimated to occur is 2013? Approximately 39,620 women are expected to die
from breast cancer. In 2013, about 2,240 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 men will die from the
disease. Don’t be a part of this number have your routine screenings! Mammogram screenings are a preventative
care and are covered at a 100 %!
Who Gets Breast Cancer? Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among US
women. Men are generally at low risk for developing breast cancer; however, they should report any changes in
their breasts to a physician. Breast cancer incidence and death rates generally increase with age. Breast cancer
incidence rates are higher in non-Hispanic white women than African American women for most age groups.
However, African American women have a higher incidence rate before age 40 and more likely to die from breast
cancer at every age.
What are some other factors besides age, sex and family history are associated with breast cancer risk?
Postmenopausal obesity, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are just some of the risks factors that can
increase the risk of breast cancer.
Some lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk of breast cancer include: achieving and maintaining a
healthy weight, adopting a physically active lifestyle, consuming a healthy diet, and limiting consumption of
alcohol. Women who choose to breastfeed for an extended period of time may also reduce their breast cancer risk.
Don’t have time for a mammogram? Then you definitively don’t have time for breast cancer! The estimated new
female breast cancer cases and deaths by age seem to dramatically increase with age. For instance, only 1,020
women under 40 years old died of breast cancer in 2013 as opposed to 22,870 women dying between the ages of
50 and 64. Take the most important step to protect yourself against breast cancer and Talk to your doctor about
the screenings that are right for you, and when you should have them done.
Remember! If you are 40 or older, getting screened for breast cancer could save your life. A mammogram is a
simple screening and is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer. When caught early, the odds of recovery are
much higher.
To schedule your mammogram screening, call your doctor or register for one of the Employee Wellness Onsite
events.
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October 21st @ ALCO (Teacher Workday)
November 7th @ Celebration K-8 School
November 14th @ Horizon Middle School/Transportation Center
November 21st @ Ross E. Jeffries Service Center.
National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
October 2013 “School of Wellness”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Name: ______________________________________
District ID #:_________________________________
Worksite: ____________________________________
1. List three warning symptoms associated with breast cancer?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. At what age do experts recommend that women start having annual mammography
screenings? _________________________________________________________
3. List 3 lifestyle changes you can make, that will lower your risk for Breast Cancer.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. Name 2 locations in the school district where employee Wellness will offer onsite
mammogram screenings?
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. What is the cost for SDOC employees covered with district insurance to have
mammography screening?________________ what type of medical care is
mammograms considered______________________________________________