News-Letter

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in developed countries, as well as the second most fatal after lung cancer. A recent study by the American Cancer Society predicts almost 180,000 new cases and over 40,000 deaths from breast cancer by the end of 2007 in the United States alone.

A decline in fatality rates from breast cancer in recent years has been attributed to early detection and better treatment, but the fact remains: thousands of women, as well as many men, are only diagnosed after the cancer is too advanced to treat effectively.

The two major risk factors for developing breast cancer are sex and age. Women are about 100 times more likely than men to develop breast cancer. It appears that female hormones, especially estrogen, can mediate the course of the disease. Nevertheless, several hundred men die of breast cancer each year in the United States.

The other major risk factor is age. As the body ages, damage to cells and tissues compounds; some of this damage can lead to cancer. Among women, the risk of developing breast cancer doubles between the ages of 55 and 80. As many as one third of women who live to 90 might have breast cancer.

There are other risk factors as well. About 5 percent of breast cancer cases are genetic. Women who have a close relative -- a mother, grandmother, sister or aunt -- with breast cancer are much more likely to develop the disease.

Early detection is the key to beating breast cancer, as well as most other cancers. Women should receive annual mammograms beginning at the age of 40, supplemented by regular self-exams and doctor checkups. Genetic testing is also available. Breast cancer can be detected and managed with proper care.

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