Finding out about
BreastScreen
Presentation Outline
•
Breast Cancer Statistics
•
About BreastScreen Queensland
•
What is Breast Cancer?
•
Who should have a breastscreen?
•
Risk Factors
•
Women Under 40
•
Breast Changes
•
Breast Cancer in Men
•
Hormone Replacement Therapy
•
Family History Clinic
Did you know…
• Breast cancer is the most common form of invasive cancer among Australian women and is the leading cause of cancer related death in females. 2,404 Qld women being diagnosed 2008.
• Second most common cause of cancer after lung in Queensland with over 430 dying from this disease.
• More than 13,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected this year. It is expected that 100+ men will develop breast cancer. • Five year survival rate increased from 74% (1982-1988) to 89% in
2001-2006.
• In 2008, 62% of all invasive cancers detected by BSQ were <=15mm
Sources:
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & National Breast Cancer Centre (NBOCC) 2006, “Breast cancer in Australia: an overview”, 2006. Cancer series no. 34. cat. no. CAN 29. Canberra: AIHW.
• NBOCC, “Breast Cancer in Australia: An Overview 2009”, Available at: http://nbocc.org.au/breast-cancer/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-statistics.
BreastScreen Queensland
Aim
Screen 70% of women in target age group (50-69) every 2
years. Research shown 25-30% reduction in mortality rate if
70% population screened.
Provide free high quality breast cancer screening service to all
women in Queensland aged 50-69 years.
PR in Qld for 2007-2008 was 57.3% - higher than 56.6%
(2006/07). On target to screen over 235,000 (2009/2010).
Projected growth from 2006 census indicates that BSQ will
need to screen approximately 282,106 women by 2012/13 to
achieve desired participation goal
2008-2009 – over 6,500 initial screens – 34,300 screened in
North Brisbane catchment.
What is breast cancer?
•
There is no known way to prevent breast cancer
•
The causes of cancer remain unknown although
there are some known ‘risk factors’
•
A breastscreen remains the most effective
way to detect early breast cancer
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast tissue become abnormal and grow in an uncontrolled way
These cancer cells may spread to other parts of the body via the blood or lymphatic vessels
The statistics…
1 in 9 women in Australia will be diagnosed with
breast cancer by the age of 85
Who should have a BreastScreen?
•
All women are at risk of developing breast cancer.
•
All women 50 years of age and over should have a
breastscreen every two years. The chances of
developing breast cancer increases dramatically as
we get older.
•
75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are
over 50.
•
This is the age group where it is shown to be of most
benefit
•
Women in their 40’s and 70+ years are also eligible
for free breastscreens.
All women are at risk of developing breast
cancer however the risk increases with
age.
Source: National Breast Cancer Centre and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2006:
Other Possible Risk Factors
Two main risk factors
•
Being a woman
•
Getting older
•
Overweight women are at an increased risk of
developing breast cancer, particularly after
menopause.
•
Having more than two standard drinks per day
increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer. The
risk increases with each additional drink.
•
Bump or knock
•
Stress
•
Wearing a bra
•
Using deodorant/antiperspirants
•
Drinking milk
•
Silicone breast implants
•
Size of a women’s breasts
NBOCC 2008
Unproven Risk Factors
“Myths”
• The tissue of younger woman’s breast
(top image) tends to be more dense, or
thicker, than that of older women (bottom image) which is due to the influence of hormones
• On a breastscreen, dense breast tissue show up as a solid white area, making small cancers – which also show up white – almost impossible to see
• There is some concern that regular breast cancer screening may be harmful to younger breast tissue
•
93% of breast cancers occur in
women over the age of 40 in
Queensland
What is a breastscreen?
•
A breastscreen is an x-ray of the
breast – also called a mammogram
Is it safe?
•
The amount of radiation used is a
very low dose and the risk of any
harm is extremely small.
The benefits of having a regular breastscreen far outweigh the small risk of
exposure to radiation
Medio-lateral (oblique view)
Compression and why do we need it ?
Inadequate compression
Same breast with adequate compression
♥
A breastscreen is the best
way of finding breast
cancers early, even before
they can be felt or
other signs noticed
♥ A breastscreen can detect
changes as small as a
coloured pin head. Most
women may only feel
lumps when they are the
size of a 10 cent coin
Radiologist checking
breastscreen
• At BreastScreen Queensland, every breastscreen is read by
two specially trained doctors
(one of whom is a radiologist). For this important reason and to ensure a high quality service, the results are not available on the day.
• The results of your breastscreen will be mailed to you and, if you wish, your results can also be mailed to your nominated
doctor, in a timely manner.
Results of your
breastscreen…
•
breast pain/ benign fibrocystic changes
•
cysts
•
fibro adenomas
•
a new lump or lumpiness, only in one breast?
•
nipple discharge/nipple inversion
•
change in skin texture of breast – redness/dimpling
•
any persistent unusual pain
Nipple discharge – inform doctor if blood stained, clear or discharging from one duct only
Cancer on the left – note spiculations/feathering out
Cyst – note rounded edge
Men & Breast Cancer
Most common risk factors are:
¾
Getting older
¾
Strong family history
Signs of breast cancer in men:
¾
Painless lump – most common symptom
¾
Discharge from the nipple/shape change of breast
¾
Any unusual pain/Swollen lymph glands under the arms
Breast cancer is uncommon in men, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancers
•
Most common cancers in Australian men:
– Prostate**
– Bowel (Colorectal)*
– Melanoma
– Lung***
•
Most common cancers in Australian women:
– Breast***
– Bowel (Colorectal)*
– Melanoma
– Lung**
***
Most common cause of cancer-related death(Statistics from Cancer Council Australia 2008)
Family History
• A family history of breast cancer means having at least one affected member of the family with this condition
• Approx 10% of all breast cancers may be a result of a genetic predisposition
• BRAC1 and BRCA2 – identified genes thought to be responsible for majority of familial breast cancers
The role of Breast Cancer Family Clinic
1. To assess women who have a strong family history (1st degree relatives – maternal/paternal)
2. To document family tree, personal risk assessment 3. Access for eligible women from age 30
9 out of 10 women who develop breast cancer
do not
Current Campaign
•
Targets 50-69 age
group, unscreened
and lapsed women
Key messages:
•
One on one with health
professionals
•
Don’t need a Dr’s referral
•
It’s free
• Campaign research showed that while women in the target age group were concerned about breast cancer, most lacked factual knowledge about the risk factors, the benefits of screening and what the procedure involves
Benefits:
• Improved level of service and capacity of BreastScreen Queensland to service rural and remote women
• Clarity of breastscreens
• Reduced risk of damage/loss of images
• Reduction in number of technical recalls – enables breastscreen to be checked before women leave service
• Images captured electronically and stored directly in a computer, allowing data to be enhanced or magnified for further evaluation
Digital screening
•
All BreastScreen QLD Services
now use digital mammography
Finding Breast Cancer Early:
Steps You Can Take
ttend BreastScreen Queensland for your
free breastscreen every two years.
As Easy as ABC….
e Breast Aware – Get to know the normal
look and feel of your breasts, if you notice
any changes see your doctor.
linical Breast Examination – Ask your doctor
to include a clinical breast examination in
your yearly health check- up.
Be Breast Aware!
•
Become familiar with the usual look and
feel of your breasts
•
Report any changes to your doctor
•
Know
what is normal for you
•
Look
at the shape, nipples and skin
•
Feel
from the collarbone to the bottom of
the bra line and out to the armpit
BreastScreen Queensland
• Chermside • Keperra • Taringa • Kippa-ring
• Brisbane City (corner Albert & Elizabeth Sts opposite
Borders)
• Relocatable service visits Nundah, Strathpine and Brighton
• North Lakes
• QE11 Jubilee hospital – Coopers Plains • Coorparoo • Inala • Jindalee • Logan • Redlands • Wynnum
• Mt Gravatt (opened Jan 2010)
Brisbane Northside Services
Brisbane Southside Services
Other Services located:
• Ipswich, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gold Coast, Mackay, Nambour, Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville
