Nearly A Quarter-Million New Breast Cancer Cases Expected This Year

ROCKY HILL — During the annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Cancer Society is urging women to follow early detection guidelines for breast cancer and to make healthy behavioral changes to lower their risk of breast cancer. An estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 39,520 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States in 2011, according to the American Cancer Society.

“The American Cancer Society wants women to experience the benefits of choosing to put their health first,” said Patrice Lestrange Bedrosian, Connecticut director of communications at the American Cancer Society. “Women can take action and put their personal breast health first to stay well, fight breast cancer, and save lives. More than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors will celebrate a birthday this year thanks to early detection and improved treatment.”

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer. The society is reminding women 40 and older to have a yearly mammogram and clinical breast exam. Also, the society recommends that women ages 20 to 39 receive a clinical breast exam once every three years. The five-year survival rate is 98 percent for breast cancer that is diagnosed in the earliest stages.

The society offers newly diagnosed women and those living with breast cancer a variety of programs and services to help them in their breast cancer experience.

*Reach to Recovery helps newly diagnosed patients cope with their breast cancer experience. Reach to Recovery volunteers offer the unique understanding, support, and hope from the perspective of someone who has survived breast cancer.

*The Look Good…Feel Better program helps breast cancer patients manage the physical side effects of treatment. Patients gain beauty techniques to help improve their self-esteem and quality of life, but also a sense of support, confidence, courage, and community with other cancer patients in the program.

*The Hope Lodge program offers patients free lodging for those receiving treatment far from home.

*The society offers free information to help make treatment decisions and access to its programs 24/7 through 800-227-2345 or cancer.org.

Women can reduce their risk of breast cancer by taking additional steps to stay well by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, and engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes on five or more days of the week. Also, limiting alcohol consumption can reduce breast cancer risk — one or more alcoholic beverages a day may increase risk.

In addition to helping women stay well and get well, the American Cancer Society has a long history of commitment to finding cures for breast cancer. The society has invested more than $450 million in breast cancer research grants since 1971, and has played an important part in many major breast cancer research breakthroughs in the past century, including the discoveries that led to the development of Tamoxifen and Herceptin.

To learn more about the American Cancer Society or to get help, call anytime, day or night, at 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.