ONLY Women Over Forty Get Breast Cancer - MYTH!

When it comes to breast cancer, “young” usually means anyone younger than 40 years old. Breast cancer is less common among women in this age group but it can and does happen! In the United States, about 5% of all breast cancer cases occur in women under age 40. While the risk of breast cancer increases with age, all women are at risk for getting breast cancer!

Women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation have an increased risk of breast cancer. Estimates of this increased risk vary greatly. Women who carry a BRCA1 gene mutation have a 50% to 70% chance of developing breast cancer by age 70. For BRCA2 carriers, estimates range from 40%to 60%. While in a group of 100 women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, between 40 and 70 will develop breast cancer by age 70. Because these numbers represent average risk, the risk of breast cancer for any one woman with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation may fall outside this range.

Diagnosing breast cancer in young women can be more difficult because their breast tissue is often more dense than the breast tissue of older women. By the time a lump can be felt in a young woman, it is often large enough and advanced enough to lower her chances of survival. In addition, the cancer may be more aggressive and less responsive to hormone therapies. Delayed diagnosis in young women is a problem. Because it is rare for a young woman to get the disease, they are often told to wait and watch a lump.

Although breast cancer in men is rare, it does happen. In the United States, about one percent of all breast cancers occur in men.We still have much to learn about breast cancer in men because the diagnosis is so rare. Most of what we know about breast cancer is related to breast cancer in women. While there are some similarities between breast cancer in women and men, there appear to be some differences.

Tell your doctor if you notice any change in your breasts, and think about getting a second opinion if you are not satisfied with his or her advice. KNOW YOUR NORMAL!

For more information on breast self-awareness visit

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Survivor Spotlight: Kathy Sikes

After a suspicious mammogram and ultrasound, then an attempted needle breast biopsy that was stopped after the physician realized how close the tumor was to her chest wall, Kathy Sikes remembers coming home, frustrated and scared.  For the second time in her life, she was facing a cancer diagnosis.

“I picked up the phone and called the Komen Helpline and received excellent information on the diagnostic and treatment process and where to begin,” Sikes recalls. 

The phone call to Komen helped remind Sikes the two things she would depend on to help her through this journey, humor and finding the positives in life.  Using research and recommendations of friends and local breast cancer survivors, she put together a health provider team she could rely on through diagnosis, surgery, and adjuvant therapy.  Now a two year survivor, Sikes continues to work with new additions to her “survivorship team”.

“Physical therapy, exercise and nutrition changes have helped with post surgery and treatment side effects,” adds Sikes.

Humor has also played a huge role in Kathy's life.  Her sometimes irreverent look at being a breast cancer survivor has led to opportunities to speak and write.  She is also involved as an advocate, hoping to continue to impact policy for cancer survivors and their families.  This new path in life allows Sikes to put to good use a background in communications and theater. 

“When facing any cancer diagnosis, we all begin with ‘Why me?’, Sikes said.  “Then I thought, why not me?  I have great support through family and friends and at fifty, I could use a new hair style, weight loss plan, and a boob job.”

Following the Funds in Kansas

Determined to save lives and end breast cancer forever, Susan G. Komen Kansas  keeps 75 percent of the net income from the Kansas Races right here to fund breast health education, breast cancer screening and diagnosis projects.  Every two years, Komen Kansas conducts a community needs assessment, specifically looking at breast health and breast cancer in our service area. This includes demographics, breast health statistics, an assessment of breast health services and a survey of the community’s beliefs about breast health and access to care. The assessment helps direct grant and education priorities.

“We do the assessment to see where in Kansas people are most in need of our help.  After we review all the data, we develop an action plan to see what Komen can do to have the most impact.” said Kirsten Bruce, Grants and Education Coordinator for the Kansas Affiliate. “It’s my job to look at the gaps in programs and services and determine what can be done to fill those gaps.”

 

Currently, Komen Kansas has nine community grants totaling $345,522 providing breast cancer services in Kansas.  This is one way the funds that Kansas volunteers work hard each year to raise are invested back into the community to ensure Kansans have access to life-saving mammography, are being educated on the importance of early detection, are able to navigate the health system, and more.

“Komen has a wonderful network of grantees and volunteers across the 95 counties in Kansas that we serve.   I love collaborating with them to bring breast health education and services to women and men in Kansas.”  Bruce adds.  “It’s a joy to go to work every day.  I get to spend all day collaborating with volunteers and colleagues with the ultimate goal of making people’s lives better.  It’s hard to beat that!”

In addition to local grant funding, Komen Kansas invests 25% of funds raised in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Program supporting research awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.  Komen Headquarters announced funding $38 million in promising research in 2013.  Komen granted approximately $8 million in research grants in the state of Kansas.

 

Take Action, Get Involved

Across our nation, you see people and companies partnering with Susan G. Komen to bring awareness and research that will someday create a world without breast cancer.  These are people who have made the decision to take action, each in their own way against this disease.  They volunteer time and money to help Komen fund the mission through education and research. 

There are many ways to become involved and take action.  You may be a runner.  A volunteer.  Or an activist.  But however you choose to get involved, everything you do makes a difference.  After all, it is because of survivors, volunteers, and activists dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, Komen is the nation’s largest private funder of community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs. 

Saturday you will see many of the dedicated Kansas volunteers at the Wichita Race for the Cure. Ask how you can become involved with your Kansas affiliate and help us win the fight against breast cancer.

 

So, how will you take action?

 

Breast Cancer Awareness, Make It a Priority this October!

Breast Cancer Awareness.  It's our mission seven days of the week and 365 days of the year! Join us from now through November on Facebook and our new Blog as we focus even more on awareness and education:

• Share it Sunday will look at the steps to breast health self awareness
• Myth Monday will dispel common held myths about breast cancer
• Talk about It Tuesday will talk about breast cancer topics
• Webinar Wednesday will give you a chance to tune into interesting webinars
• Take Action Thursday will look at ways you can take action in Kansas
• Follow the Funds Friday will spotlight great things our Komen grantees are accomplishing
• and Survivor Saturday will spotlight survivors across the state.

More info, education and events than ever before ...