 We left the dark ages on breast cancer treatments in June of 1990, when the National Cancer Institute Consensus Conference, after reviewing two decades of research, published their conclusion: “Breast conservation treatment is an appropriate method of primary therapy for the majority of women with Stage I and II breast cancer and is preferable because it provides survival equivalent to total mastectomy and axially dissection while preserving the breast”.10In 1996, two thirds of newly diagnosed breast cancers appeared to be confined to the breast.12 Today, with early detection, breast cancer can frequently be treated conservatively, with removal of the cancerous lump (lumpectomy) followed by radiation to clean up the cancer cells remaining in the area after the operation. This is in contrast to the total breast removal (mastectomy) common twenty years ago.10 Great strides have been made in breast cancer treatments through the diligent efforts of researchers, the insight of pioneering physicians, and the bravery and generosity of the women who participated in the research studies. “Chemo” (chemical) or hormone therapies are medications that can enter the blood system on a cancer “search and destroy” mission. Their primary targets are cancer cells that have left the original cancer site and have migrated to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy's are less debilitating with the newer anti-nausea drugs.10 Today, with early detection, the chances are good you would survive breast cancer.1 Currently, we have no proven breast cancer prevention measures for the general population.11 Therefore, our only reasonable line of defense against the destruction of breast cancer is early detection. The best plan for early detection is the three step screening plan endorsed by the American Cancer Society.1,C The first step is monthly breast self exams. By performing breast self exams each month you greatly increase your chances of early detection. You should know your breast structures better than anyone. “Breast-Mapping”® will help you become more comfortable and confident with your breast self exams. The second step is an annual breast exam performed by a doctor or nurse (clinical breast exam). A clinical breast exam brings your health care professional up to date on your breast health. It also gives him/her a chance to teach, and you an opportunity to communicate your findings and ask questions. The third and final step in early detection is mammography. At first I was against mammography because I felt that any exposure to radiation was probably more harmful than helpful. Through my research, however, I have come to realize that breast cancer is a beast of many forms. Some start as a tiny lump which enlarges with time while others seem to appear first as a large lump. The reason is that the lump that is felt on a breast exam is not the cancer itself. It is the body's reaction to that cancer. Some bodies are more tolerant of cancers than others. One way to look at this is like an ant bite. You really don't see or feel where the ant bit you. What you notice is your bodies reaction to the bite. One person can be bitten by an ant with practically no reaction while the next person will develop a whelp the size of an egg, intense itching and severe pain. Some forms of breast cancer grow within the breast without a reaction and therefore are undetectable by breast exams. Then, suddenly, a large solid tumor appears. I believe this occurs when tiny clusters of independently growing cancer cells finally growing together. Mammography frequently sees this type of breast cancer as micro-calcifications and can literally detect the cancer before the tumor forms. Early detection through mammography in women over the age of 50 has increased the cure rate by an unbelievable thirty percent! 10 Other cancers, however, even very large cancers can be easily missed on a mammogram. The reason is simple physics. To illustrate this point, picture an aquarium filled 3/4 full with water. Add 5 large apples and 5 small grapes. Then shine a light through the water and look at the shadow on the wall. How may grapes can you identify in the shadow? The low level x-rays (light) used in mammograms today cannot shine through the dense glandular breast tissue (apples) predominantly found in pre-menopausal women. Thus, cancerous micro-calcifications (grapes) are often hidden by the shadow of normal tissue. Consequently, the only way to cover all the bases for early detection is by following the medically endorsed. THREE STEP PLAN:C 1. Breast Self Exams: Every month from age 20. 2. Clinical Breast Exams: A. Every three years from age 20 - 39. B. Every year age 40 and over. 3. Screening Mammography: A. Normal Risk: Every year age 40 and over. B. Increased Risk: Consult health care professional before age 40.
“Breast-Mapping”® was designed as an educational tool and it should not be used in place of appropriate medical care. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented herein is accurate at the time of publication. New research is ongoing however, and therefore it is possible that the data and recommendations presented herein may be invalidated by new findings.
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