Presented by Susan G. Komen for the Cure^®

This first-ever State of Breast Cancer report is guided by the simple truth that has inspired Susan G. Komen for the Cure for the past 25 years: Every one of us has the opportunity — in fact, the responsibility — to help save lives today and, ultimately, end this disease forever. The pages within this report are both inspiring and shocking. You’ll be inspired by the great strides in diagnosis, treatment and research that have turned millions of breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors. At the same time, you’ll be shocked that so many people — especially racial and ethnic minorities and those with little or no health insurance — continue to die needlessly from this disease simply because they cannot afford or access quality care. For a detailed copy of this report, visit http://www.komenminnesota.org/Asset77.aspx?method=1. 

Facing the Facts about Breast Cancer

Globally, more than 1.1 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 410,000 women will die from the disease this year. In the U.S. nearly 240,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer — and nearly 180,000 will be diagnosed with the most deadly type (invasive) — in 2007. More than 40,000 will die from the disease this year.

• One in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women (after lung cancer) and the leading cause of cancer death among young women
• Being a woman and getting older are the most important risk factors for breast cancer
• The causes of breast cancer are unknown
• Globally, a case of breast cancer is diagnosed every 29 seconds
• A woman dies from breast cancer every 75 seconds worldwide

Am I At Risk?
Being a woman and getting older are the most important risk factors for breast cancer. Several other factors are known to increase risk:

• Testing positive for BRCA1 and BRCA2, the gene mutations commonly associated with breast cancer
• Having a previous biopsy showing overactive cell growth (hyperplasia) or cancer contained within the breast (carcinoma in situ)
• Having a mother, daughter or sister who has had breast cancer
• Having dense breast tissue
• Having a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Starting menopause after age 55
• Never having children or having your first child after age 30
• Being overweight after menopause or gaining weight as an adult
• Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day
• Using hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Being under age 12 at the time of your first period
• Recent birth control use

• Regularly conduct self breast exams and get screened
• Give a neighbor a ride to her screening
• Promote breast cancer education in your place of worship or through community events
• Talk to your friends about getting screened
• Become a family history buff to help assess your personal risk, and encourage family members to get screened
• If you speak a foreign language, help a non-English speaker understand the importance of screening
• If you own a business, allow your employees flexible time to get regular screenings
• If you are a physician, implement a mammogram reminder program for your patients, stay up-to-date on practice guidelines and talk to patients about the importance of early detection
• Urge your legislators to increase federal and state funding that makes treatment available to more women. Go to www.ActNowEndBreastCancer.org
• Ask your doctor for the latest information on breast cancer treatment to empower yourself; visit www.WebMD.com or www.medscape.com
• If you are a hospital administrator, start a navigator program at your institution

Everyone can make a difference. Everyone can help overcome the crisis of disparities in his or her own way, from joining an advocacy group, to writing a letter to a lawmaker, to simply reminding a loved one to schedule a screening. If we have the urgency and the will, all things are possible. I hope this report has communicated the urgency, and that you have the will to join the fight. Every action counts.