Mutations
The Truth about Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Lab Studies/Treatment
Performing Self Exams
100
True or False. A breast cancer gene is inheritable.
True
100
True or False. 80% of women with breast cancer have no family history.
True
100
True or False. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the united states
True.
100
When are screening tests (mammograms) performed on patients?
Screening tests are routine for people who appear to be healthy and are not suspected of having breast cancer. Their purpose is to find breast cancer early, before any symptoms can develop and the cancer usually is easier to treat.
100
How often should you perform a self examination of your breasts?
Try to get in the habit of doing a breast self-examination once a month to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel.
200
What are families who show patterns of mutated genes referred to?
mutant families
200
True or False. 250,000 women with breast cancer are diagnosed before they are 40 years of age.
True.
200
Approximately how many American women have survived breast cancer?
About 1.6 million have survived and are alive today!
200
When would a patient require a diagnostic test?
Diagnostic tests (such as biopsy) are given to people who are suspected of having breast cancer, either because of symptoms they may be experiencing or a screening test result. These tests are used to determine whether or not breast cancer is present and, if so, whether or not it has traveled outside the breast. Diagnostic tests also are used to gather more information about the cancer to guide decisions about treatment.
200
When should you perform a breast self exam in relation to time of the month?
Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. If you are no longer having periods, choose a day that's easy to remember, such as the first or last day of the month.
300
What percentage of people contract breast cancer because of mutated genes?
10%
300
True or False. Using birth control pills can cause breast cancer, so can having an abortion
False. Abortions are not linked to breast cancer and most studies show no increased risk with modern day lower dose birth control pills.
300
What is the estimated percentage of women that survive cancer when detected in the earliest stages.
90%
300
Would a patient who was not yet diagnosed with breast cancer require annual monitoring tests?
No, breast cancer would first need to be diagnosed. These tests are used during and after treatment to monitor how well therapies are working. Monitoring tests also may be used to check for any signs of recurrence.
300
What percentage of breast cancer is identified through self examination?
20%
400
Name the two mutated genes that cause breast cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2
400
True or False. New guidelines suggest mammograms are not necessary every year.
False. A government task force did recently recommend that mammograms aren’t necessary under age 50. But many experts in the field believe these recommendations are based on faulty analysis.
400
True or False. A woman's risk of breast cancer is higher if her mother, sister or daughter had breast cancer.
True.
400
What is the name of the procedure that is used to remove the part of the breast that has cancer and some normal tissue around it.
Partial Masectomy
400
In what part of the breast would you expect to find the most "lumps" and "bumps"?
The upper, outer area — near your armpit.
500
What is the difference between BRCA1 and BRCA2?
BRCA1 is found to cause both breast and ovarian cancer (prostate in males). BRCA2 only causes breast.
500
True or False. Self Examinations and Mammograms are the Solution to Breast Cancer
False. Early detection and treatment is key for breast cancer survival. Yet most survey respondents placed too much faith in self-examinations and mammograms . Mammograms are among the best diagnostic tools we have, but they are imperfect, revealing too many false positives and thus leading to worry and to unnecessary procedures. Mammograms also miss a surprising number of real, malignant cancers.
500
What are the most common symptoms of early breast cancer?
Most breast cancer is diagnosed in an early stage during a mammogram, before any symptoms occur. If any symptoms do occur, most of them turn out to be benign, or not indicative of cancer. However, you should still see a doctor immediately.
500
What is the name of the cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
Chemotherapy
500
If you feel a lump in your breast that did not show up on a mammogram, what should you do?
Mammography misses at least 10 percent of breast cancer. So if you feel a lump that doesn't show up on a mammogram, bring it to your doctor's attention. Get it evaluated.
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