Breast cancer data from Allina's metropolitan hospital tumor registry are presented to provide a window into breast cancers diagnosed and treated in local group practices. Ellen L. Abeln, MD Audrey Traub, MD, FACS Anders M. Knutzen, MD Deborah L. Day, MD John F. Schwerkoske, MD B reast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women and is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. The American Cancer Society estimates that 3,000 women in Minnesota will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and 720 of those women will die from it. Our patients should understand that the incidence of breast cancer grows with increasing age. Breast cancer is rare before age 25 and begins to increase measurably thereafter.
Lifetime risk is one in eight.
In large part, due to this project, breast cancer screening has become widespread, and the rate of in situ and small, invasive cancers has increased dramatically while the rate of advanced cancers has decreased. Today, breast cancer screening is defined as a combination of patient self exam, clinical breast exam, and mammography. These methods are complementary and should not be used as stand-alone techniques. BSE, as taught by the American Cancer Society, is still valuable in helping a woman become aware of what is normal for her, and in helping her discover changes that may herald breast cancer. For women over the age of 40, BSE helps identify symptoms that may develop between mammograms.