Health Discoveries in Breast Cancer
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 5, 2010
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) occurs every October, but staying focused on the battle against the disease is ongoing for breast cancer survivors, their families, medical providers and researchers.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), about 207,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women will be reported in 2010, and nearly 40,000 women are expected to die from the disease this year. In addition, about 54,010 new cases of carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive and early form of breast cancer, will be diagnosed.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the U.S. other than skin cancer and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer, the ACS reports.
But with earlier detection, regular mammograms - every year for women age 40 and older, the cancer society recommends - as well as improved medical procedures and therapy, breast cancer deaths are on the decline. The ACS estimates there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors nationwide.
A clinical trial now under way within the North Shore-LIJ Health System is trying to determine if continuing hormonal therapy with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor (AI) which blocks estrogen production, beyond five years will reduce recurring breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), about 207,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women will be reported in 2010, and nearly 40,000 women are expected to die from the disease this year. In addition, about 54,010 new cases of carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive and early form of breast cancer, will be diagnosed.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the U.S. other than skin cancer and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer, the ACS reports.
But with earlier detection, regular mammograms - every year for women age 40 and older, the cancer society recommends - as well as improved medical procedures and therapy, breast cancer deaths are on the decline. The ACS estimates there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors nationwide.
A clinical trial now under way within the North Shore-LIJ Health System is trying to determine if continuing hormonal therapy with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor (AI) which blocks estrogen production, beyond five years will reduce recurring breast cancer.