Breast cancer basics
What is BRCA?
Breast cancer gene
True or false: being over the age of 50 increase your risk of breast cancer
True
This is known as a x-ray of the breast
Mammogram
The procedure involved with the removal of the entire breast is called
Mastectomy
Breast cancer occurs only in individuals with a family history of the disease
Myth - The majority of breast cancer cases arise in individuals without any family history.
True or false: breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women
false
These 2 habits have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer
Smoking and drinking
Women with average risk should start getting regular mammograms at this age
40-50 years
This treatment uses high energy rays to destroy cancer cells
Radiation therapy
Using deodorants or anti perspirants causes breast cancer.
Myth - No link has been proven between deodorants and breast cancer.
What is the most common type of breast cancer?
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
Which reproductive factor increases risk: having your first child after 30 or before 25?
After 30
For women with dense breast tissue, this imaging test may be used in addition to a mammogram.
MRI
A drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body
Chemotherapy
Mammograms are 100% effective at detecting breast cancer.
Myth - While mammograms are very effective at detecting breast cancer, they may miss cancers in dense breast tissue.
Breast cancers are often classified based on whether they are positive or negative for which receptors ?
Estrogen and progesterone
Name one medical treatment or exposure (other than hormones) that increases breast cancer risk.
Chest radiation therapy (especially at a young age)
This type of staging system, ranging from 0 to IV, describes the extent of breast cancer.
TNM Staging system - Tumor, Node, Metastasis
Drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) are examples of this newer type of treatment that boosts the body’s defenses
Immunotherapy
A smooth movable breast lump is always benign.
Myth - Some breast cancers may present as smooth and movable lumps.
Triple negative breast cancer lacks these 3 markers
ER (estrogen receptor), PR (progesterone receptor), HER2 (protein which helps cancers grow)
Carrying mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 significantly increases risk. These are what kind of genes?
Tumor suppressor genes
An advanced imaging test combines mammography and tomography to create a 3D image of the breast, improving detection of small or hidden tumors.
3D mammography/digital breast tomosynthesis
Drugs like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors are this type of therapy
Hormone therapy
Breast cancer can still return after a mastectomy
Fact