ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

AUBURN, OCT. 15---Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women in Alabama and the United States.

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month program in October is designed to increase public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. The national education campaign is reaching out to the general public; city, state and federal governments; health care professionals; employers; members of the news media; and women of all ages and ethnic groups. The combined efforts of many national public service organizations, professional associations and government agencies are sending messages across America.

It's estimated that 2,500 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Alabama by the end of 1999. That 's 500 cases less than in 1998, says Dr. Kathleen Tajeu, Extension community health specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Breast cancer awareness programs are probably one reason estimated cases are down in Alabama. More and more people are learning how important it is to check themselves monthly and have annual mammograms and checkups.

"Chances of survival are better than ever and the earlier the cancer is detected, the better the chance of survival, "says Tajeu.

Both generic and environmental factors may play a role in a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. The risks increase with age; personal or family history of breast cancer; onset of menstruation at an early age; onset of menopause at a late age; lengthy exposure to cyclical estrogen and with women who never had children or who gave first birth at a late age.

 Additional factors that may increase risks include pesticide and other chemical exposures, alcohol consumption, induced abortion, high-fat diet and physical inactivity, adds Tajeu.

Most women have one or more risk factors for breast cancer. However, women with none of the known risk factors can still get breast cancer. All women are at risk.

The earliest sign of breast cancer is an abnormality that shows up on a mammogram. The mammogram will show an abnormality before it can be felt by the woman or her health care provider. Breast cancers may also be discovered as a painless lump or mass by the patient herself. Other breast changes, such as thickening, swelling, dimpling, skin irritation, distortion, retraction, scaliness, pain and tenderness of the nipple or nipple discharge, may be symptoms of breast cancer and a physician should be consulted.

The American Cancer Society recommends women do breast self-exams monthly beginning at age 20; breast clinical exams every three years between age 20-40 and every year after age 40. It also recommends women have mammograms every one to two years from age 40-49 and every year at age 50 and over.

SOURCE: DR. KATHLEEN TAJEU, Extension community health specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-2201.