Transcript Breast and Prostate Cancer Prevention

Breast and Prostate
Cancer Prevention
Breast Cancer
What is Breast Cancer?
Abnormal cell growth in lobes or ducts
of breast
Breast cells grow out of control
Cells clump together forming a mass
Breast Mass
Most breast masses are not cancerous
(benign)
Benign masses are not life threatening
Some masses are cancerous
(malignant)
Breast Cancer
Risk Factors
Sex
Age
Race
Alcohol consumption
Diet
Lifetime Exposure to
Estrogen
Early menarche
Late menopause
No pregnancies or 1st child after 30
Use of birth control pills or estrogen
therapy
Breastfeeding for at
least 3 months appears
to lower the risk of
developing breast
cancer by 25%.
Personal and Family
History
Have you had breast cancer before?
Has your mother, sister or grandmother
ever had breast cancer?
Have you ever been genetically tested
and are said to carry the gene?
If you answered “yes” to
any of the
aforementioned
questions you are at
greater risk for
developing breast
cancer!
Other possible risk
factors
Obesity
Pesticide and other chemical exposure
Cigarette smoke
 Charred red meat

How do you lower your
risk of breast cancer?
Eat foods high in fiber
Eat five or more fruits & vegetables
daily
Include soy in your diet
Limit fat intake
Limit alcohol consumption
Stay Physically Fit!
Exercising 4 times a week decreased
risk by 58%
Include weight-bearing exercise to
build stronger bones
Avoid Pesticides!
Wash all produce!
Peel waxed produce
Consider organically grown foods
Recognize Symptoms
Early!
Symptoms
Lump or mass in breast or under arm
Change in size, shape, or color of the breast
Breast thickening, swelling, or tenderness
Dimples, puckers, or scales
Pain or discharge from nipple
Breast Cancer
Screening Tests
Monthly breast self exam (BSE)
Examine breasts at same time monthly
 Best time is right after your menstrual cycle
 Become familiar with breast tissue and
appearance

Breast Cancer
Screening Tests
Clinical breast exam
Part of a physical
 Conducted by a physician or health care
provider
 Recommended at least every
3 years

Mammogram
X-ray that shows an image of breast
tissue
Can detect problems that cannot yet be
seen or felt with a BSE
Conducted annually for women over 40
Additional Steps:
Discuss your risk and family history with
your health care provider
Women at a higher risk should discuss
screening schedules with a health care
provider
If you have any warning
signs or symptoms,
contact your provider
immediately!
Prostate Cancer
Prevention
Anatomy of the Prostate
Small, walnut-sized gland
Located in front of the rectum
Part of the male reproductive system
Produces fluid that mixes with sperm
What is Prostate
Cancer?
Prostate cells grow out of control
Cells clump together and form a mass
Masses can be
Non-cancerous (benign)
 Cancerous (malignant)

Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia (BPH)
Abnormal growth of benign cells in the
prostate
Can press against the bladder
50% of men in US between ages 60 & 70
have symptoms
90% between ages 70 & 90 have symptoms
May or may not have to be treated
Prostate Cancer
Risk Factors
Age
Usually occurs in men over 50
 Risk goes up with age
 Average age at diagnosis is 70

Family History
Risk doubles if your father or brother
has a history of prostate cancer
Males whose mothers or sisters have
had breast cancer carry a higher risk
Race
More common in African American men
than Caucasian men
Less common in Asian and American
Indian men than Caucasian men
Other Risk Factors
Farming

Farmers who sprayed 250 acres or more
doubled their risk
Diet

Diets higher in fat may increase
susceptibility to prostate cancer
How do you lower
your risk?
Reduce animal fat in diet

Especially red meat
Increase soy consumption
Soy milk
 Tofu

Stay physically fit!
Tomatoes and high fiber diets
appear to be protective in
nature!
Recognize Symptoms
Early!
Symptoms
Frequent urination
Inability or difficulty urinating
Weak or interrupted flow of urine
Pain or burning while urinating
Blood in urine or semen
Other possible symptoms
Painful ejaculation
Frequent pain or stiffness
Back
 Hip
 Thighs

Loss of weight or appetite
Prostate Cancer
Screening Tests
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

Doctor’s examination with a lubricated
finger

Recommended at 50 years old
 Sooner with a family history
Prostate Specific
Antigen (PSA)
Blood test
Checks level of substance produced by
prostrate
Recommended at 50 years old

Sooner with a family history
Test does have limitations
An elevated PSA does
not necessarily mean
you have cancer!
Additional Steps:
Discuss your risk and family history with
your health care provider
Men at a higher risk should discuss
screening schedules with a health care
provider
If you have any warning
signs or symptoms,
contact your provider
immediately!
The earlier you detect
the cancer the greater
chances of successful
treatment!