Breast Cancer - A Deadly Disease...
While it is the primary purpose of Dentist Against Cancer Inc. to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research, we thought it appropriate to have a page dedicated to helping educate people about the disease itself. DAC is not a medical organization and is in no way an expert on Breast Cancer. What we do know for certain - from firsthand experience - is that Breast Cancer is deadly an can wreak havoc on not only it's victims but their families as well. For this reason, we hope that you find this page useful.
Breast Cancer Definition:
Breast Cancer is defined as a Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. The most common types of Breast Cancer are Ductal Carcinoma and lobular carcinoma. Ductal Carcinoma makes up approximately eighty-five to ninety percent of all diagnoses, while the latter - Lobular Carcinoma - makes up approximately eight percent. Invasive Breast Cancer has the potential to spread out of the original tumor site and invade other parts of your breast and body. There are several types and subtypes of invasive breast cancer.
The less common types of Breast Cancer are:
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Paget's Disease of the Nipple
Symptoms of Breast Cancer:
- A lump or a thickening in the breast or in the armpit
- A change of size or shape of the mature breast
- Fluid (not milk) leaking from the nipple
- A change of size or shape of the nipple
- A change of color or texture of the nipple or the areola, or of the skin of the breast itself
Early stages of breast cancer may not cause any pain or discomfort. Having a regular mammogram and a clinical breast exam by your health professional can help you understand changes in your breasts. Doing your breast self-exam can help you keep track of regular monthly changes.
Remember, many lumps and rashes are benign (not cancerous) and can respond well to proper treatment. If you experience any symptoms that cause you concern, see your doctor.
Treatments for breast cancer, as well as survival rates, are improving. Early detection and medical help is critical to improving the chances of living beyond a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Statistics:
It is estimated that in 2009 there are 192,370 new cases of female Breast Cancer and 1,910 new cases of male Breast Cancer. It is estimated that there are 40,170 female deaths and 440 male deaths from Breast Cancer.
These numbers are staggering and alarming, however it is our hope that along with the support we receive from our Donors and Participants in our Fundraising Golf Tournament we can help make a difference in these statistics. If the money that Dentists Against Cancer raises and subsequently donates to Breast Cancer research can save just one live and in effect keep just one family from going through what our Founders and their famlies went through, then we know that our efforts are worthwhile.
If you would like more information on Breast Cancer or our efforts as a charity, please Contact Us.
DAC E-mail Address:
Info@DentistsAgainstCancer.org