Breast Cancer Cancer Awareness Is Key
- Comedian Wanda Sykes, who previously battled stage zero breast cancer after cancer was found during breast reduction surgery, is once again raising awareness for breast cancer, and doing so with the help of a Super Bowl 59 ad.
- The medical community has a consensus that women between 45 and 54 have annual mammograms. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says that women should start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered the age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.
- For women aged 55 and older, the American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.
- Women who have a strong family history of breast cancer, have dense breasts, have a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before age 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.
In Novartis’ new ad campaign, the 60-year-old actress and comedian, says, “When I was 47, I went in for a breast reduction expecting a straightforward surgery.
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Sykes shared the video ad in an Instagram post, writing, “Sometimes it feels like the world is out there to distract you. Look here! Wait, look there! How about looking at what’s right in front of you, like your breast health? #NovartisPartner #YourAttentionPlease.”
For women over the age of 40, the Your Attention Please website, which Novartis is promoting, offers help in finding screening sites. For those under 40, women can answer some questions to better understand their potential risk of getting the disease.
Expert Breast Cancer Resources
- An Overview of Breast Cancer Treatment
- Advances in Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatments Over the Last Year Offer New Hope for Those Fighting
- Digital Guide: Dr. Yara Abdou Breaks Down Next-Generation Sequencing & Breast Cancer Treatment
- Acupuncture Promising for Pain Relief from Some Breast Cancer Treatment
- Genetic Testing Is Increasingly Driving Treatment For Breast Cancer And May Actually Help Lower Costs
- Monitoring After Treatment for Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer: Introduction to Prevention & Screening
- The Mammogram Debate: Should Women Start Breast Cancer Screening at 30?
In the ad, Sykes is also seen saying, “Everyone is so busy paying attention to this, and paying attention to that. They are not paying attention to the important stuff that’s right in front of them. Whats up with that?”
Actress Hailee Steinfeld is also featured in the ad ad and stated on the campaign’s website, “The number of women around me who have been impacted by breast cancer either personally, or in their family, has made me realize how important it is to stay proactive when it comes to breast health.
“We all play a role in encouraging women to prioritize their breast health, whether you’re of screening age or not, and should make it a priority to discuss the steps we can all take to better understand our risk factors with our doctors, friends, family and community.”
Leading up to Super Bowl 59, set to take place on February 9, Novartis also took to Instagram to share the ad, writing, “#YourAttentionPlease! One in 8 women will face breast cancer in their lifetime, yet this reality often hides in plain sight —obscured by society’s fixation on #breasts as symbols.
“Let’s give breasts the attention they deserve, tune in and learn more at www.yourattentionplease.com a dedicated website with resources aimed at providing women of all ages and backgrounds information on breast cancer risks, and support around routine screenings.”
Wanda Sykes’ Breast Cancer Journey
Wanda Sykes was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer (or ductal carcinoma in situ – DCIS) in 2011. While going for a breast reduction, tests found that she had DCIS in her left breast, CNN previously reported.
DCIS has two important factors: It hasn’t spread to other parts of the body, and the risk of death is essentially zero.
The mother of two shared her diagnosis on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” after having a double mastectomy, which is the removal of both of her breasts. She also underwent reconstruction after the mastectomy.
WATCH: What happens during a double mastectomy?
“A double mastectomy typically takes about two hours for the cancer part of the operation, the removing of the tissue. The real length, the total length of the surgery, can often depend on what type of reconstruction [a patient] has,” Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, previously told SurvivorNet.
Afterward, some women decide to have their breasts reconstructed and have implants put in, while others don’t have reconstruction at all.
Dr. Andrea Pusic breaks down different options for breast reconstruction
It should be noted that a double mastectomy may not be the recommended treatment for others with DCIS. Choosing the right treatment is a very personal decision, and you should discuss your options with your doctor.
Although Sykes eventually went public with her breast cancer battle, it took her several months before she started telling others about it.
Sykes’ decision to wait to share such a personal health experience is completely normal, says Dr. Lori Plutchik.
Dr. Plutchik also told SurvivorNet that some people feel comfortable sharing the information widely with family, friends, and others.
“Other people are much more private about it,” she says, “And there is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
In the years following Sykes’ breast cancer diagnosis, she has become an advocate for breast cancer awareness by doing PSAs promoting early detection through mammograms and self-exams. During her PSA, she announced she’s still “cancer-free.”
We’re also delighted to see Sykes still pushing for a breast cancer awareness and working toward helping other women detect their cancer early.
It’s also great to see Sykes thriving after her cancer journey, as she’s set to go on her “Please & Thank You” tour in March.
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What to Know About Screening For Breast Cancer
The medical community has a consensus that women between 45 and 54 have annual mammograms. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered the age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.
WATCH: Screening for Breast Cancer
For women aged 55 and older, the American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.
Women who have a strong family history of breast cancer, have dense breasts, have a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before age 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.
Understanding the BRCA Gene Mutation
Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
Breast density is determined through mammograms. However, women with dense breasts are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer because dense breast tissue can mask potential cancer during screening. 3D mammograms, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and molecular breast imaging are options for women with dense breasts for a more precise screening. It is important to ask your doctor about your breast density and cancer risk.
Although breast cancer can happen to anyone, certain factors can increase a person’s risk of getting the disease. The known risk factors for breast cancer include:
- Older age
- Having a gene mutation such as the BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Added exposure to estrogen
- Having children after the age of 30
- Exposure to radiation early in life
- Family history of the disease
RELATED: Is Genetic Testing Right for You?
Different types of genetic testing can help people with a family history of cancer better ascertain their cancer risks. Your doctor will discuss your family history of cancer with you in the context of your type of tumor and your age at diagnosis. Hereditary genetic testing is usually done with a blood or saliva test.
The second test involves the genetic sequencing of your tumor if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer by this point. These genetic changes can be inherited, but most arise during a person’s lifetime. This process usually involves examining a biopsy or surgical specimen of your tumor. This testing can lead to decisions on drugs that might work against your cancer.
WATCH: Understanding genetic testing for breast cancer.
About ten percent of breast cancers are hereditary, says Dr. Ophira Ginsburg, Director of the High-Risk Cancer Program at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center.
“We encourage only those who have a family history to really get [genetic testing],” Dr. Ginsburg previously told SurvivorNet.
“I would say that if you have anyone in your family who was diagnosed with a very rare cancer. Or if you have a strong family history of one or two kinds of cancer, particularly breast and ovarian, but also colon, rectal, uterine, and ovarian cancer, that goes together in another cancer syndrome called the Lynch Syndrome,” Dr. Ginsburg adds.
When You’re Getting a Mammogram, Ask About Dense Breasts
Treating Breast Cancer
For anyone battling breast cancer, it’s important to understand that your doctor has many ways to treat breast cancer, including:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
“It’s important to understand why your doctor is recommending a particular type of treatment,” Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center’s Dr. Jessica Tao previously told SurvivorNet.
Breast Cancer: Introduction to Prevention & Screening
Surgery
Most women with breast cancer will have surgery at some point in their treatment. Depending on how far your cancer has spread and your personal preferences, you and your doctor may decide to:
- Remove just the cancer and an area of healthy tissue around it (lumpectomy)
- Remove one breast (mastectomy)
- Remove both breasts (double mastectomy)
- Removing your breasts can have a dramatic effect on your self-esteem, which is why some women who opt for a mastectomy then choose breast
- reconstruction surgery. This is a highly personal choice, and there is no “right” answer as to whether or not to reconstruct.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill cancer all over the body. You may get this treatment to shrink a tumor before surgery, afterward to get rid of any remaining cancer cells, or on its own if you can’t have surgery.
Whether or not to have chemotherapy can also be a choice, depending on a woman’s age, type of cancer, and stage.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells and is typically used after surgery to lower the chance that the cancer will come back after treatment. Many women undergo radiation as part of their treatment, especially if they opt for a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy.
Hormone Therapy
The hormones estrogen and progesterone help some breast cancers grow. Doctors refer to these types of cancers as hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. Receptors are proteins on the surface of breast cells that receive messages from estrogen, progesterone, or both, telling them to grow. Treatments that block these hormones may help stop the tumor.
Testing the tumor sample from a biopsy helps to determine whether hormone therapies such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex) or anastrozole (Arimidex) might work against the cancer. Women with breast cancer that is fueled by estrogen may take one of these drugs as part of their treatment.
Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy
Immunotherapy and targeted therapies are newer forms of treatment. Immunotherapy boosts your body’s own immune response to help it stop the cancer.
As their name suggests, targeted therapies target certain substances that help the cancer grow. For example, drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta) treat breast cancers that have too much of a protein called HER2 on their surface.
Deciding the Right Course of Breast Cancer Treatment
Doctors treating breast cancer seek out markers on your particular cancer to help decide what course of treatment is best for you. This is due to the cancer cells possibly having what are known as receptors that help identify the unique features of the cancer.
The three main receptors are the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor, and the HER2 receptor. The estrogen and progesterone receptors go together because they are fueled by hormones. Think of the cancer cell as having little hands on the outside of the cell which grabs hold of proteins that help it grow. These proteins are sometimes called “ligands.”
An example of a type of ligand that can stimulate a cancer cell is the hormone estrogen. An estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer will be stimulated by estrogen to grow. In this instance, your doctor may offer you treatment to specifically target the estrogen receptor.
The Unique Features of Breast Cancer
Another important receptor to test for is the HER2 receptor. For HER2 positive breast cancers (like the stage zero cancer Macpherson was diagnosed with), therapies that uniquely target the HER2 receptor are essential to treating the disease.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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