Knowledge is Power

Being treated at The Cleveland Clinic has it's perks and advantages. Seeing as it's been rated No. 1 in Ohio for cancer treatment that made it all the more comfortable for me. I was given information on the latest clinical trials concerning treatment of breast cancer, books that answered all my questions about cancer, they listened when I had found out something be it on the news or newspaper and even would check it out for themselves.

I know that everyone has heard this, however, I cannot stress that prevention and early detection is your best defense against breast cancer and any other cancer for that matter. Doctors are able to do something about and give you the tools you need so that the chances of anything coming back are slim. Obviously nothing in life is guarenteed, but with knowledge comes power.

As we have heard in recent months, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Recommendations on Breast Screening (Scientific Advisory Board, November 2009) which were completely blasted by the Susan G. Komen Foundation and just about every physician in the US. It is necessary that every woman get a mammogram after the age of 35. I am seeing now that even young woman are getting diagnosed with breast cancer as earlier as the age of 18, which is rare yes, however, it does not hurt to speak to your doctor about your risks and when you should get tested.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these general guidelines for getting screened.


Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Overview

"The lifetime risk (to age 85) of a woman developing breast cancer in 1940 was 5% or 1in 20; the risk is now 12.6% or 1 in 8. In women 40-49 years of age there is a 1 in 66 risk of developing breast cancer compared with a 1 in 40 risk among women in the 50-59 year age group.

Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated reduced mortality rates (20-40%) from breast cancer among women invited to undergo screening mammography compared with control groups.

Although statistically significant benefits/reductions in breast cancer mortality are delayed 10 to 15 years among women 40-49 years of age at the time of screening, several of the screening trials have reported a benefit (23-44%) from screening women 40-49 years of age.

The benefit of mammography is related to early detection. Regardless of the histological grade of a tumor, a greater than 90% ten year survival has been reported in 40-74 year old women diagnosed with tumors that are 10 mm or smaller in size.

The effectiveness of any screening program will depend on screening frequency, compliance with screening recommendations and the quality of the screening test.

In establishing screening frequencies, breast cancer growth rates need to be considered. The sojourn time (average time for mammographically detectable, preclinical cancers to become clinically apparent) for all breast cancer types is shorter for pre-menopausal women compared with post-menopausal women supporting annual screening in 40-49 year old women: 1.8 years in 40-49 year old women and 3.5 years in women 50 years of age or older.

Women should perform a monthly breast self-examination starting at age 20."



There is a lot of news out there and a lot of misguided information as well. My suggestion is that you stick with the mainstream sites, such as the Susan G. Komen, American Cancer Society and your local hospital.

Next week I am having another procedure done, so the blog will be only be done for a few days, as the rest of the week I will be recovering. This procedure is part of the process of having breast reconstruction which I will explain next week. Until then, remember knowledge is your best defense against breast cancer and anything else in life!!!