SELF BREAST EXAMINATION SAVES LIVES

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women and leading cause of death in all races in America today. In 2010, an estimated 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women. About 39,520 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer. For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment. In 2010, there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.

One of the most common symptoms of breast cancer is an abnormal lump or mass in the breast. The most effective way to detect a lump is to perform a monthly self-exam. An annual mammogram, performed at a doctor's office, can detect lumps in their earliest stages, increasing the odds for a complete recovery. Other common breast cancer symptoms include unexplainable changes in breast size, shape, or color. Patients and doctors often report that cancerous breasts remind them of oranges because they develop a reddish tint and bumpy texture. While this is a common symptom for some types of breast cancer, the absence of this symptom does not mean breast cancer isn't present, because many women with the disease never experience this sign. Women diagnosed with breast cancer, about 20-30% have a family history of breast cancer, but remember about 70-80% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. Males also do get breast cancer.

About 1 in 8 women (12%) will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. That means if 8 women perform Self Breast Examination on a regular basis, life of one woman can be saved. Please view the self examination documents and watch the videos in different languages as well. So do not wait, if you have not done in past, please do it now!
For more information about this topic, call Whiteside County Health Department at (815) 626-2230, and click here for more info on Women's Health Programs at WCHD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ple5EJHmwqM&NR=1
MD English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G3JbRfzXJU&feature=related
Indian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OefbQEUwWWQ&feature=related
Arabic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAZaTnwJpK8&feature=related
Hindi