Scientific Journal Analysis: Our Research

1. Scientific Journal Analysis: Our Research Jacqueline W. and Molly Z. Summer Science Program 2001

2. How great is YOUR risk? • There are two types of risk factors. The first type consists of identified risk factors. These are proven to contribute to your risk of developing breast cancer. • The second type of risk factors are known as possible risk factors. These are thought to contribute to breast cancer development but no studies have proven that they significantly increase your risk.

3. Identified Risk Factors Age Being a woman Smoking Family History Prolonged Estrogen Cycling

4. Possible Risk Factors Lack of Breast Feeding Environmental Exposure Hormone Use High Fat Diet Heavy Alcohol Use

5. Early Detection is Key • There is a 97% survival rate in women when breast cancer is detected early • Performing the following steps of screening could reduce breast cancer mortality by 30%

6. Monthly Breast Self Exam (BSE) Yearly Mammogram after age 40 Yearly Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) Monthly BSE CBE 3-4 times per year Mammogram 2 times per year Chemoprevention Prophylactic Surgery (removal of the breasts) Programs for Detecting Breast Cancer General Population High Risk Population

7. Breast Self Exam (BSE) • Women should begin BSE anywhere from age 18 to 20, it should be performed monthly • The earlier you start BSE the more familiar you will be with your body and detection of an irregularity will be easier to recognize • You can learn how to perform BSE correctly by taking a class or watching a video. The technique does require practice.

8. Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) • Clinical Breast Exams are usually given at the time of the yearly mammogram • They are conducted by a nurse or physician who checks you for irregularities • This does not replace the BSE, it is in addition

9. Mammograms • A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast and can find cancer when it is still small and easier to treat. • Mammograms are very accurate, but they are not perfect. They can find a lump much smaller than you or your doctor can feel. • Sometimes they can miss cancer, that is why it is important to keep checking your breasts by clinical breast exams and breast self-exam.

10. These circles represent the size of a lump that may be found... By getting yearly mammograms On a woman’s first mammogram By a health care provider giving a clinical breast exam By a woman who performs monthly BSE By a woman who occasionally performs BSE By a woman who rarely performs BSE

11. Chemoprevention • Chemoprevention is the intake of drugs believed to prevent cancer • These drugs are taken by women who either are at high risk for developing the disease or have already had it and are at risk for reoccurrence • There are many studies and trials being done to research drugs, the most recently active program is the STAR study

12. STAR: Study of Tamoxifen and Reloxifen • The STAR study looks at the effects of two drugs, tamoxifen and reloxifen, on women who are at high risk for breast cancer • Each of these drugs has been tested individually and the newest study under the STAR program is comparing the drugs to see which has a better reduction rate without harmful side effects

13. In the P1 Breast Cancer Prevention Trial study it proved to have a 50% reduction rate Increases the risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus) Increases chance of developing blood clots Originally tested for use on osteoporosis but was found to reduce the rate of breast cancer by 65% Does not effect the uterus Increases chance of blood clots Reloxifen Tamoxifen

14. With the help of our mentor, Tanina, and others, we were able to effectively research Breast Cancer Prevention. We hope our information is helpful to you and we thank all members of the staff at Karmanos who helped us with our project!