JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Breast Cancer Awareness Month might be in its waning days, but the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s theme this year resonates regardless of the month.
It’s all about working together.
“This year the National Breast Cancer Foundation is focusing on working ‘ToGetHer’ to make sure every woman has access – access to education, screening, treatment and supportive care, regardless of individual circumstances,” said Dr. (Capt.) Angelique Forrester, 559th Medical Squadron Family Health Clinic physician.
“This year, especially as we continue to work through this pandemic, the theme serves as a reminder that we all need to be invested in this fight against breast cancer because it truly can affect anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic background,” Forrester added.
Although the number of deaths due to breast cancer in the United States continues to decline, the number of new diagnoses is on the upswing, and breast cancer remains the second most common cancer in women in the U.S., behind only skin cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
An estimated 280,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with an invasive form of breast cancer this year, while 48,000 women will be diagnosed with a non-invasive form. In addition, 26,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. As many as 42,000 women and 500 men in the U.S. will die from breast cancer this year.
Breast cancer has an even greater impact on women and men in the military, according to studies from more than 10 years ago, Forrester said. As a result, significant Department of Defense funding has gone into breast cancer research and therapeutic development.
“I think this may also be one of the reasons the military shifted to a self-referral option for annual mammogram screening for women aged 40 and older,” she said.
Like most cancers, breast cancer can develop when the DNA of previously healthy cells are damaged and mutates, Forrester said.
“These mutated cells no longer respond to the normal cell cycle and will continue to reproduce unchecked,” she said. “Over time the abnormal cells grow and invade healthy cells in the body. Breast cancer can start in the cells of breast tissue and later invade surrounding tissue or spread to other areas of the body.”
The most common forms of breast cancer include ductal carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive form that is highly treatable if caught early; invasive ductal carcinoma, which makes up 70 to 80 percent of breast cancer cases in women; and the rarer form, inflammatory breast cancer, which makes up 1 to 5 percent of breast cancer cases, Forrester said.
“Metastatic breast cancer is classified as stage 4 breast cancer, which is when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body,” she said.
The cause of breast cancer is still unknown, Forrester said, but well-documented factors can increase a person’s risk, including genetics, gender and age.
“Women are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer than men,” she said.
With regard to age, two out of three women will be diagnosed after the age of 55, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Race is also a factor, Forrester said.
“White women seem to be at higher risk compared to other races,” she said. “However, black women are more likely to have a worse outcome due to late diagnosis.”
Lifestyle modifications may reduce risk of contracting breast cancer, including avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy and avoiding hormone replacement therapy when possible, Forrester said.
“I’d encourage maintaining a healthy, balanced diet – ideally something similar to the Mediterranean diet as that is the only proven heart-healthy diet that is supported by research,” she said. “Engaging in regular physical activity is also important.”
Regular screenings are crucial and vary slightly from organization to organization, Forrester said.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force, or USPSTF, recommends that women age 50 to 74 with average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram at least every two years, while the American Cancer Society advocates for earlier screening – annual screenings starting at age 40 until the age of 55, with the option to switch to every two years in women age 55 and older.
The USPSTF supports earlier screening of women age 40-49 on a case-by-case basis. It also recommends that women with a personal or family history of certain cancers such as breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer or have a family history associated with the BRCA1/2 mutation be screened with a brief familial risk assessment tool to guide further management.
“The military offers breast cancer screening with annual mammograms starting at age 40 for those with average risk factors,” Forrester said. “If you are someone that falls within a higher risk group, discuss your concerns with your primary care provider because you may qualify for earlier screening.”
Being proactive is key, Forrester said.
“Educate yourself, listen to your body and do not be afraid to seek guidance from your health care provider,” she said. “If you do have questions or concerns, don’t wait to ask.”