Breast Cancer Deaths Decline Thanks to Prevention and Early Detection

10/4/2016

Durant, OK - Across our community and the entire country this month, we will celebrate the brave women who have done battle with breast cancer. It’s a time of reflection and celebration for many women, as they bond together to celebrate a precious victory and to support causes designed to eradicate the disease. But October can also be a difficult time for some, as we are encouraged to remember friends or loved ones who lost their battle with breast cancer – some of them at a very young age.

But perhaps most importantly, October traditionally provides opportunities to educate millions of women on the importance of screening and prevention. Between 1990 and 2013, the death rate from breast cancer decreased by 37 percent, or nearly a quarter of a million lives. The decrease is certainly due in large part to women declining hormone therapies during and after menopause, but also to aggressive campaigns encouraging women over 40 to be vigilant about mammograms. Today, 67% of women over age 40 report having had a mammogram in the past two years, totaling nearly 39 million mammograms per year. While mammograms aren’t perfect, the digital diagnostic tools of today can detect changes in the breast years before a tumor develops. And statistics tell us that the five-year survival rate is nearly 99% when breast cancer is detected in the early stages.

While recommendations have changed through the years regarding who should get screened and when, the general standards for women at average risk remain the same:

• Starting at age 40, all women can choose whether to start annual screening with mammograms.
• Women age 45-54 should have a mammogram every year
• Women age 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years, but can choose to continue annual screenings
• Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good general health, and is expected to live 10 more years or longer

Some women are at higher risk of developing breast cancer based on family history, genetic mutations and some prior health conditions and therapies. If you fall into this category, it’s important to talk with your doctor about more aggressive detection measures and whether they’re right for you.

Of course, it’s vitally important to remember that – like any cancer or other disease – prevention is absolutely the best medicine. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Minimize your risk by following these general rules to supercharge your immune system:

• Keep a healthy weight, with a BMI at or below 24
• Engage in physical exercise at least four hours each week
• Get eight hours of sleep most days – preferably during nighttime hours
• Limit alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day
• Avoid exposure to chemicals that can cause cancer – you can find a detailed list of known carcinogens at the www.Cancer.org website
• Limit exposure to radiation, using X-rays, CT scans and PET scans only when medically necessary
• Before taking any type of hormone replacement or birth control therapy, ask your doctor to ensure you are balancing the risks and benefits
• If possible, breastfeed any children you may have

Our team at AllianceHealth Durant looks forward to celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month with all the survivors, families and advocates here in our community.

Every day in October, AllianceHealth Durant is offering Mammo’s and Munchies – if you are 40 or older, schedule your first annual screening mammogram and enjoy cookies and free gifts while you are here.

If you need to find a physician, visit our Find a Doctor page or call 1-800-259-1236.

About AllianceHealth Durant
AllianceHealth Durant is part of one of the state’s largest healthcare systems; AllianceHealth Oklahoma. AllianceHealth Oklahoma combines the strength, resources and quality of 9 hospitals, more than 70 medical practices and six home health agencies. The 4,500 physicians and employees focus on providing high quality, safe care, and the best possible experience for patients. For more information, visit alliancehealthdurant.com.

AllianceHealth Durant is owned in part by physicians.

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