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Breast Cancer: Statistics, Signs and Symptoms

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – an ideal time to review key breast cancer statistics, as well as signs and symptoms that should encourage you to be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Tackling Breast Cancer Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is proud to partner again this year with the Philadelphia Eagles in the Tackling Breast Cancer campaign to benefit the new Jefferson Breast Care Center. This is Jefferson’s third year collaborating with the Philadelphia Eagles to increase breast cancer awareness and, ultimately, help women in the Delaware Valley. For more information about the campaign and related events, please visit the Tackling Breast Cancer website.

Breast cancer in the United States

• Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women (skin is #1).
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women (lung cancer is #1).
• In 2007, approximately 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed.
• In 2007, approximately 62,030 new cases of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed.
• Women living in North America have the highest incidence of breast cancer in the world.
• Seventy-seven percent of breast cancers occur in women who are 50 years of age or older.

Changes to look for
The Jefferson Breast Care Center offers care for many types of breast conditions – from common, benign abnormalities to breast cancer. Every woman has her own “normal” breast appearance, feel and texture. Without proper screening, serious conditions – such as breast cancer – can remain invisible until advanced stages.

“At The Jefferson Breast Care Center, we encourage all women to have screenings, which include self-breast exams, clinical breast exams by a healthcare provider and mammograms,” says Rosanne Iacono, RN.C, MSN, CRNP, Administrator, Jefferson Breast Care Center. “We provide women with information about breast health and breast changes that may occur and that should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider for evaluation.”

Changes to look for include:

• A lump or thickening – such as a mass, skin irritation or distortion – in or near the breast or in the underarm area
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast, areola or nipple, which may appear dimpled, puckered or scaly
• Nipple discharge, erosion, inversion or tenderness

Learn more
For in-depth information about breast cancer and other types of breast disease, visit the Jefferson BreastCARE website. Make an appointment with a Jefferson physician online or by calling 1-800-JEFF-NOW.