Breast Health and BreastScreen Victoria

This presentation looks at breast health and breast screening for the early detection of breast cancer

September 2014

Breast cancer

• 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime

• Early detection increases a woman’s chance of survival

• 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are aged 50+

CANCER IN VICTORIA: Statistics and trends 2010Victorian Cancer Registry, Cancer Council Victoria 2011, pg 37

New cases and deaths in 2011 for cancers in Victorian women

3499

Victorian Cancer Registry 2012

3748

1713

956

336698 765

2360

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

Breast Bowel Lung Ovary

New

cas

es/d

eath

s in

201

1

Type of Cancer

New cases

Deaths

616

What things have you been told may

cause breast cancer?

Known Risk Factors

• Being a woman

• Increasing age

• Family history

• Previous breast cancer

Risk factors

• Hormones

• Nulliparity

• Older age at first pregnancy

• Older age at menopause

• Weight

• Alcohol

No evidence

• An injury to the breast

• Deodorant

• Aluminium saucepans

• Mobile phones, microwaves

• Underwire Bras

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Reducing your risk

• Regular exercise

• Follow recommended alcohol consumption

• Maintain healthy body weight

Breast anatomy

Normal breast changes

What is normal?

Changes to the breasts can occur with:

• puberty

• menstrual cycle

• pregnancy and breastfeeding

• weight loss and gain

• menopause.

Breast awareness

Breast awareness is for all women of all ages

How?

• Become familiar with the normal look and feel of your own breasts

• There is no right or wrong way to do it

• See your doctor without delay if you find any changes that are not normal for you

Breast cancer

key facts

• cancer is abnormal cell growth and uncontrolled spread

• the most common invasive cancer among Australian women

• cannot be prevented

• can also occur in men but is rare

• usually grows slowly

• begins in the ducts or lobules of the breast

Recommendations for breast screening

• Target 50-74 year olds

• Every 2 years

• Complements Breast Awareness

• Without symptoms of breast cancer (Women with

symptoms go to GP)

BreastScreen program

Why women aged 50 to 74?

• Evidence shows screening this age group saves the most lives

• increasing age is one of the strongest risk factors

• mammograms are the most effective screening method for finding early breast cancer in this age group

• women in 40s and over 74 are still eligible for free screening with BreastScreen Victoria

What happens at BreastScreen Victoria?

• female radiographers

• positioning of breasts between two flat plates

• compression may cause some discomfort, but needed to

ensure quality of the mammogram and minimal radiation

exposure

• can ask for procedure to stop at any time

What happens after my screening appointment?

• mammograms read by two specialists

• results sent, within two-four weeks (woman and GP)

• BreastScreen will be in contact if further tests needed

• most women called back are not found to have cancer

• reminder sent for next screening mammogram

Results

• The vast majority of women will receive a ‘normal’ result

• A small percentage of women are called back for further

tests (approx. 5%)

• Being called back does not mean you have breast cancer

Benefits of BreastScreen

• Regular screening prevents deaths from breast cancer

• Breast screens can detect majority of cancers early – even

before they can be felt or noticed

• If breast cancer is found early, it is more likely to be small,

and successfully treated

• The earlier breast cancer is found, the better your chance

of surviving it

Limitations of BreastScreen

• Anxiety

• Over – treatment:

• Some women may be diagnosed with breast cancer that would not develop into a life-threatening cancer, therefore, some women may receive treatment that might not have been necessary.

•Exposure to radiation • Modern mammography machines use the smallest amount of radiation

possible while still getting a high quality X-ray picture. The radiation from screening (which involves two X-rays of each breast) is about the same as 18 weeks of exposure to natural radiation in the environment.

What can I do…

• Finding breast cancer early gives you the best chance of

successful treatment and recovery

• Be breast aware and see your doctor without delay if you

notice any unusual changes

• Make an appointment with BreastScreen Victoria if you are

aged 50-74

• Spread the message about breast awareness and screening

mammograms

For more information or to make an

appointment visit

breastscreen.org.au

Or call 13 20 50