By Kent Woerner and Susan T. Cookson
Special to the Tribune
Breast Cancer Awareness is in October. The American Cancer Society (ACS) started the now month-long awareness in 1985.
In 1992, Estée Lauder Corporation introduced the pink ribbon. Some people feel the pink ribbons and the celebratory atmosphere of the month distract from the need for greater understanding of the disease and more research leading to better treatments. The month should not be a boost for the producers of the pink ribbons but a promotion for greater awareness, understanding, and research. If you want to contribute to breast cancer awareness and treatment, there are multiple charities. A good site to find which charity you want your money to support is: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/charitable-partner/comparing-top-7-breast-cancer-charities.
So, let us promote awareness and understanding by starting with knowing the numbers. In 2021, there were 272,454 new breast cancers among U.S. women. This number is increasing annually so now 1-in-8 women will have breast cancer in her lifetime. In Georgia, breast cancer is the number one type of cancer in women (2017-2021). It is almost three-times higher than lung cancer in women.
For 2017-2021 of women diagnosised with breast cancer, 2-in-3 women had no spread; 1 in 4 had regional spread; and unfortunately, 6 percent had distant spread. Overall, 91 percent of women with breast cancer were alive five years after their diagnosis. But that percentage goes down with the degree of spread (or stage). In 2022, 42,211 US women died from breast cancer. For 2018-2022, among Georgian women the rate of cancer deaths was 21/100,000 for breast cancer and 27/100,000 for lung cancer (U.S. Cancer Statistics, CDC). In Rabun County, of the 10 top causes of premature deaths for the last 10 years (2013-2022), breast cancer was a cause for four years. Breast cancer was not a cause for any of those 10 years for Georgia as a whole (GA Dept Public Health). I, as I fear you, have had friends and family members who have had and/or have died from breast cancer.
So, what can you do? You can start by reducing your risk of getting breast cancer. This means:
-Eating more fruit and vegetables a day (3 ½ to 5 cups). Eating a diet high in saturated fat and lacking fruits and vegetables increases your risk.
-Choosing not to drink or drinking less alcohol. Drinking 8 or more alcoholic beverages a week means you are a heavy drinker and increases your risk.
-Having a healthy weight. Being obese or just overweight increases your risk of several cancers, including breast.
-Keeping physically active. Being sedentary with little physical activity can increase your risk of breast cancer. Moving your body or exercising for even 20 minutes a day can help lower your risk.
If you breastfeed your children that helps reduce your risk of breast cancer. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you should talk to your doctor about other ways to lower your risk. There are inherited breast cancer (BRCA) genes that increase your risk of breast cancer.
If breast cancer is found early, meaning there is no spread, 99 percent of women are alive five years later. So, you can increase your chances of finding breast cancer early. Regular breast cancer screening can do that. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and ACS recommend that women 40- 74 years old get regular mammogram screening. The amount of radiation of a mammogram is small, same as our existing natural exposure of less than two months (ACS). Having a nurse or physician do a clinical breast exam or doing a breast self-exam can help too, but these exams do not lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. A recent study of almost 550,000 women found that regular mammogram screening reduced the risk of dying from breast cancer by over 40 percent (Duffy, Cancer July 1, 2020). But analysis of 2022 data of Georgian women found only 62 percent 40-49 years old and 76 percent 50-74 years old had a mammogram in the prior two years. That percent decreased more if the women had three or more health-related social needs, such as lack of food or access to transportation, or housing instability (MMWR, April 18, 2024). So, for Rabun County, only 40% of women get regular mammogram screening (Population Health Institute).
The Rabun County Health Department, 184 S. Main St, Clayton, GA has the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP). The BCCP goal is to increase the access and receipt of regular breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured women aged 40-64 (breast) and 21-64 (cervical) years old. Through this program, the health department gives eligible women vouchers to obtain mammograms in neighboring Georgia counties. Uninsured or underinsured Rabun County residents earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for BCCP. After screenings, referrals for any needed treatment are through the Women’s Health Medicaid Program.
When was your last mammogram? One in eight women will have breast cancer. Not having the money or time is not an excuse. Do not wait to become a woman with regional or distant spread, make an appointment with BCCP today, call 706-212-0289.
Kent Woerner is a Rabun County Board of Health member. Susan T. Cookson, MD, MPH, is the Rabun County Board of Health physician.