Breast Cancer Screening

1. Breast Cancer Screening Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

2. Talking about things can make them real Let’s talk about supporting each other to stay healthy Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

3. Breast cancer facts • In 2008, 2,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected in Alberta • 8 out of 10 breast cancers occur in women age 50 and over • There are no statistics yet on breast cancer rates among First Nations and Métis women Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

4. What is breast cancer? • Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women • Breast cancer starts when certain cells of the breast grow out of control • As the cells grow, they may form lumps or tumours • Benign tumours: not cancerous • Malignant tumours: cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

5. Breast anatomy • Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. It starts in the milk ducts Lobe Duct Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

6. Causes of breast cancer • Exact cause of breast cancer is unknown • Some people are at more risk than others Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

7. Main risk factors • Being a woman! • Getting older • Your country • Strong family history of pre-menopausal breast cancer • Previous breast cancer • Dense breasts Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

8. The estrogen link No pregnancies or first pregnancy after age 30 Early menstruation (before age 12) Late menopause (after age 55) Long-term hormone replacement (over 5 years) Lifestyle? Other risk factors • Environment

9. Ways to minimize your risk • Regular exercise • Healthy body weight • Limited alcohol • Breastfeeding your baby Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

10. What else can I do? • Women of all ages should know how their breasts normally look and feel • Breasts come in all sizes and shapes: What’s normal for you?

11. Checking your breasts • It’s not necessary to have a regimented method for checking your breasts • What’s important is that you know the whole area of your breast tissue – up to your collarbone and including your armpit Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

12. Call your health care provider right away if you notice • Unusual change in shape or size of breast • New unusual rash or redness • Dimpling or thickening of skin on breast • A new lump in breast or armpit • Discharge from nipple • Crusting on nipple • Nipple turned inward (if unusual) These signs do not mean you necessarily have cancer

13. Important points • Breast cancer may have no visible symptoms, especially in early stages • When breast cancer is found early, treatment is more likely to be successful • Let’s talk about screening! Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

14. What is breast screening? Regular medical checks to find breast cancer as early as possible Breast exam by a health care provider Mammogram

15. What screening do you need? Annual physical breast exam by health care provider Talk with your health care provider about your breast cancer risk and if you need to start getting mammograms Age 40-49 Annual physical breast exam by health care provider Regular screening mammogram (every two years for most women) 50-69 Annual physical breast exam by health care provider Talk with your health care provider about your breast cancer risk and if you should continue to have screening mammograms 70+

16. A physical breast exam by a health care provider • A physical breast exam should be part of your annual health check • The nurse or doctor will feel your breast tissue to check for unusual lumps • This is not painful Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

17. Screening mammogram • Mammograms are x-rays of the breast • They use a low dose of radiation • They can find abnormalities that are too small to be felt by you or your doctor Women get screened when they don’t have breast problems

18. Mammograms work A mammogram can find cancer this small About three years before the cancer can be felt

19. Mammogram images Fatty breast tissue Dense breast tissue Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

20. Edmonton and Calgary have several clinics Several towns in Alberta have screening clinics too Appointments: 1-866-727-3926 Women age 50 and over do not need a doctor’s referral Where do I get a mammogram? ScreenTest sets up temporaryclinics on reserves and in rural areas Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

21. What if I have no transportation? • Talk to your health care provider • Or call the Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program : 1-866-727-3926 • This problem can be solved!

22. Once you turn 50, you will receive a letter asking you to get a screening mammogram The letter will give a number: 1-866-727-3926 to make an appointment You do not need a doctor’s referral (if you’re 50+) After you get your first mammogram, you will receive reminder letters When do I make an appointment? Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

23. How is the mammogram taken? • The technologist places your breast on a plastic plate • A second plate is lowered to compress the breast • Compression lasts a few seconds Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

24. Mammogram results • You and your doctor will receive your results within two weeks • 5% of women will receive an abnormal result • Most of these abnormalities do not mean cancer. But more tests are needed to rule cancer out Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

25. You should call your doctor right away At the appointment, the doctor will book your additional test(s) Most common to least common tests are: Diagnostic mammogram Clinical breast exam Ultrasound Biopsy What do I do if my result is abnormal? Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

26. Regular screening: Come back! • Your first mammogram is a baseline • From then on, your mammograms are compared • These comparisons make it easier to find breast changes Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

27. Really, come back! • Most women over 50 will be asked to return every 2 years • Women with dense breasts and women 40–49 will be asked to return every year • Regular screening mammograms save lives Alberta Health Services, Screening Programs, 2009

28. We can help each other to stay strong and healthy • We are responsible for the next generation and the next and the next • Let’s keep talking about mammograms!

29. Thank you! Questions?