Project
REACH
Program
Planning Guide
Breast
and Cervical Cancer
Background Information
Breast
Cancer Basics
Although
there are many kinds of cancer, they all come
about because of out-of-control growth of abnormal
cells. Breast cancer begins in the breast tissue.
While it usually affects women, men can also get
breast cancer, although this is rare.
Breast
cancer is the second most common cancer among
women after skin cancer, and the second leading
cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer.
During the course of her lifetime, one in nine
women will develop breast cancer. In 2002, about
203,500 women in the United States will be diagnosed
with breast cancer – that is one every three minutes.
And about 40,000 women will die from the disease
– about one every 13 minutes.
Although
breast cancer cannot be prevented, if it is detected
early, it can be effectively treated. As a result,
the American Cancer Society recommends the following:
Yearly mammogram beginning at age 40.
Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should
have a clinical breast exam every 3 years. After
age 40, women should have a breast exam by a
health professional every year. The CBE should
be done close to, or preferably before, the
mammogram.
All women age 20 and over should do breast self
exams every month.
Cervical
Cancer Basics
Cervical
cancer begins in the lining of the cervix, which
is the lower part of the womb (uterus). The uterus
has two parts. The upper part, called the body
of the uterus, is where the baby grows. The cervix,
in the lower part, connects the body of the uterus
to the vagina, or birth canal.
Cancer
of the cervix does not form suddenly. First, some
cells begin to change from normal to pre-cancer
and then to cancer. This can take a number of
years, although sometimes it happens more quickly.
For some women, pre-cancerous changes may go away
without any treatment. More often, they need to
be treated to keep them from changing into true
cancers.
In
2002, an estimated 13,000 new cases of invasive
cervical cancer will be diagnosed and about 4,100
women will die of the disease, despite the fact
that it is nearly 100 % preventable. Cervical
cancer can be prevented in two ways. The first
is by avoiding risk factors, including human papilloma
virus (HPV), which is transmitted by sexual contact.
The second is by obtaining regular Pap tests,
which can detect HPV and precancerous cells, allowing
them to be treated before invasive cancer develops.
The
American Cancer Society recommends that all women
have yearly Pap tests beginning at age 18 or the
onset of sexual activity, whichever is first.
After three negative Pap tests, the test may be
administered less frequently at the discretion
of the woman’s health care provider.
(Sources:
American Cancer Society and National
Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations)