Breast Cancer: The Facts

Fast Facts

•  A woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime.
• Every 3 minutes, there is a new diagnosis of invasive breast cancer.
• Approximately 230,480 women and 2,140 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
• Every 13 minutes, a life is lost to breast cancer.
• 39,520 women and 450 men in the U.S. will die from the disease annually.
• The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 2.6 million U.S. women with a history of breast cancer are living today, more than half of whom were diagnosed less than 10 years earlier. Most of these individuals were cancer-free, while others still had evidence of cancer and may still be undergoing treatment.
• There are more than 250,000 women under the age of 40 in the U.S. living with breast cancer, and over 11,000 will be diagnosed this year.
• White, non-Hispanic women are more likely to develop breast cancer but African-American women are more likely to die from it.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Hispanic women.

 Remember, Early Detection Helps Save Lives

•  Be sure you and your loved ones follow the recommended guidelines from the American Cancer Society for early detection of breast cancer. If there is a history of breast cancer in your family consult your doctor on the need to begin these steps at an earlier age.
• Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers.
• Yearly mammograms with a clinical breast exam are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s.
• Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
• Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year.
• Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women of average risk of breast cancer.

Men Get Breast Cancer, Too

• Survival for men with breast cancer is similar to survival for women, when their stage of diagnosis is the same.
• Men at any age may develop breast cancer, but it is usually found in men between 60 and 70 years of age.
• Male breast cancer makes up less than 1% of all cases of breast cancer.
• Male breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutations, and a family history of breast cancer can increase a man’s risk.

 

Breast Cancer: Help, Support and Guidance

These national organizations, funded by the Avon Foundation, offer lifesaving information and direct services. To make a donation, visit: http://info.avonfoundation.org/goto/saraamin5 

AvonCares Program at CancerCare provides a wide range of support services nationwide, including patient navigation, financial assistance and emotional support. http://www.cancercare.org/ or 1-800-813-HOPE(4673)

American Cancer Society has regional offices where reliable information, support groups and other resources can be found. http://www.cancer.org/ or 1-800-ACS-2345

Cancer and Careers is for working women who are balancing work demands with their cancer diagnosis and treatment. http://www.cancerandcareers.org/ or email cancerandcareers@cew.org. The Avon Foundation is a founding sponsor of this program.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer provides education and support to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. http://www.lbbc.org/ or 610-645-4567.

Look Good, Feel Better program offers free seminars to help overcome the appearance-related effects of cancer and cancer treatment. http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/ or 1-800-395-LOOK

National Cancer Institute is a reliable resource for up-to-date information on all cancers. They also have an online mechanism called "Live Help," through which an individual can be connected in real time with a cancer specialist. http://www.cancer.gov/ or 1-800-4CANCER

National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund/Project LEAD is a breast cancer advocacy organization that specializes in providing medical education to the public and training breast cancer advocates on legislative and medical developments. http://www.stopbreastcancer.org/ or 202-296-7447

Young Survival Coalition addresses the unique issues and needs for women diagnosed under the age of 40. http://www.youngsurvival.org/ or 1-800-YSC-1011

Fired Up and Ready to Go!

On Inauguration Day, our president stood on the steps of the Capitol and stated that “a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.”

On May 4-5, I will take part in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer right here in Washington, DC. I will pass the Capitol steps where he reminded us that we are each part of this great nation and can, if we choose, be part of progress.

I embark on this crusade for a 5^th year because these words ring true in my heart… “our journey is  not yet complete.” Every 3 minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. 3 women in my family already have.

As I walk toward a future free of breast cancer, I ask you to join me by making a donation of any amount to the cause. It’s as easy as visiting my fundraising page at http://avonwalk.org/goto/saraamin5
 
In addition, if there is someone dear to your heart that you’d like me to honor during the Walk, I would be more than happy to wear a ribbon with their name on my 39.3 mile journey.

Thank you with love,
Sara Amin


If you prefer writing a check, please make it payable to “Avon Walk for Breast Cancer” and send it to:
Sara Amin
5485 Columbia Road, Apt 528
Columbia, MD 21044

Join Team Tit-Tastic!

It’s December, which means the 2013 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is 5 months away!

Years ago, a few friends and I formed Team Tit-Tastic and did our first 40 mile walk to support the fight against breast cancer. Since then, each year brings new teammates, new ideas, new challenges and more amazing experiences. We’re ready for Round 5!

Don’t you want to join? We walk May 4-5, 2013 in D.C.!
Here’s what the journey entails:
~ fundraising goal of $1,800 each (easier than it sounds)
~ 1-3 group fundraisers (to rally support from our loved ones and the community)
~ physical training to walk 40 miles (no it is not the same as running)
~ 40 miles in May with thousands of other women & men (broken up into two days of walking) 

To date, Team Tit-Tastic has welcomed 16 teammates, raised $53,536, and pushed each individual to the max in mind, body and spirit. 

I encourage you to read my blog from last year and the year before!

PLEASE EMAIL ME (at saraamin6@gmail.com, by Sunday, December 23) IF YOU HAVE ANY INTEREST IN JOINING THE TEAM! From there, I’ll schedule an information session here at the apartment (yes there will be food) to answer any questions and show you around the world of Avon. No need to final commit until you hear all the facts - just hoping for a good handle on who is intrigued.

In It To End It,
Sara
http://info.avonfoundation.org/goto/saraamin5
http://info.avonfoundation.org/goto/teamtittastic5

"The greatest thing you can do in your life is – with pride, with power – to ask somebody to change the world.  Worlds can be changed a dollar at a time, five dollars at a time.  And when somebody is feeling powerless in life, what makes them feel great is when they give.  When you give, you feel generous.  When you feel generous, you feel powerful."