Breast cancer
True or False: Only older people get breast cancer.
False!
Although it is not as common for younger people to develop breast cancer, it does happen.
True or False: Most lumps in the breast are cancerous.
False.
Lumps could be cysts or a buildup of scar-like tissue. It is important to have a doctor examine it further.
An operation where doctors cut out the cancer.
Surgery
Name one way that doctors treat breast cancer.
Answers could include:
Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
What does chemotherapy attack?
Cancerous cells
True or False: Breast cancer is contagious.
False
What is one way women can screen for breast cancer at home?
Perform breast self-exams
Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer cells. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
Chemotherapy
What percentage of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive?
90 percent
That is largely thanks to the early detection of the cancer.
What is a mammogram?
An X-ray picture of the breast
Breast cancer is the _____ most common cancer in the US.
Second
How often should women perform breast self-exams?
Once a month
Blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.
Hormonal therapy
True or False: When someone successfully completes treatment for breast cancer it cannot return.
False
What does it mean if breast cancer is metastatic?
The cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
True or False: Wearing a bra can cause breast cancer.
False.
There is no evidence wearing a bra causes breast cancer.
Around what age do women typically start getting mammograms for breast cancer screening?
40-50*
*Based on the current recommendation by the American Cancer Society and the CDC
Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer cells.
Radiation therapy
What do doctors call treatments that are still being researched?
Clinical trials
It is when doctors use high doses of radiation (high-energy waves) to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Can you get breast cancer even if it doesn't run in your family?
Yes!
85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
What should women look for during a breast self-exam?
Any lump that is irregular in shape, or is firm or solid
Works with your body’s immune system to help it fight cancer cells or to control side effects from other cancer treatments.
Biological therapy
What happens during a mastectomy?
Doctors remove the entire breast.
What is the name of the test doctors do to determine whether cells are cancerous?
Biopsy