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Breast FactsNZ Breast Cancer Facts Each year approximately 2,400 New Zealand women and approximately 20 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. For every person who is diagnosed, other people are affected including husbands, wives, partners, children, family, and friends. Over a year, this adds up to thousands of people affected. In New Zealand, women have an average risk of 11% (or 1 in 9) of being diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives. This means the chance that they will never have breast cancer is 89%. As indicated in the following table, the younger a woman is the lower her personal risk 1. Age Risk
In addition, recent research from Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe is showing a trend towards a 1 in 8 lifetime risk of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer; the United States is showing a 1 in 7 risk. Who develops breast cancer? All women have a chance of developing breast cancer at some time during their life. In New Zealand, Maori, Pacific and Asian women tend not to have regular screening mammograms. They tend to wait longer before visiting their doctor or health professional if they have any concerns about their breasts. This means if there is breast cancer, it is often well established by the time their doctor or health professional examines them. As a result, these women are more likely to die from breast cancer than other ethnic groups. Diagnosis and deaths per year With approximately 2,400 women being diagnosed with breast cancer each year, over 40 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week. The number of women each year who die from breast cancer is approximately 600 – over 10 women per week. The following table shows that while the number of people diagnosed with breast cancer is increasing (18% over the last decade), the death rate from breast cancer has decreased by 27.8% from 1987 to 2002 1.
What is your risk of developing breast cancer? The key risk factor for developing breast cancer is:
Other risk factors to be considered are:
However, unfortunately breast cancer is unpredictable. A woman may have many breast cancer risk factors, but not develop breast cancer. Then, a woman may be considered at low risk, but still develop breast cancer. Risk Factors include:
Your family history You can be at increased risk of developing breast cancer if you have:
There are three categories of risk for family history: They are:
For further detailed information click on: http://www.nbcc.org.au/bestpractice/resources/BOG182_adviceaboutfamiliala.pdf Family history does not necessarily imply an inherited genetic cause, as only 1-5% of women diagnosed have a true genetic/hereditary link. This means these women are carriers of an inherited/faulty gene, such as the BRAC1 and BRAC2 genes. If you have inherited a fault in one of these genes, you have a high chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer; however, it does not mean that you are certain to develop either. For further information phone, NZ Genetic Services (free service to NZ residents and citizens):
Therefore, it is most important for you to follow the Foundation’s ‘ Priorities in Breast Awareness’ (see enclosed card) even if no one in your family has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. Your hormonal history
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Your lifestyle Diet and exercise A healthy diet and exercise routine begins with:
Healthy diet suggestions to lower the amount of fat you eat are:
Boost the fibre in your diet with:
For further information on healthy nutrition/nutrition and breast cancer, click on:
References 1. Bercinskas, L. (2007). Personal communication on the age-specific risks of New Zealand women to be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. BreastScreen Aotearoa, National Screening Unit, Ministry of Health, New Zealand. 2. Ministry of Health/New Zealand Health Information Service (2006). Mortality and demographic data 2002 and 2003. p.25. Retrieved from The New Zealand National Screening Unit Website on 6 August 2007 at http://www.nzhis.govt.nz/publications/mortality.html 3. National Breast Cancer Centre (2006, February). Advice about familial aspects of breast cancer and epithelial ovarian cancer. Retrieved from The National Breast Cancer Centre Website, Australia on 8 August 2007 at http://www.nbcc.org.au/resources/resource.php?code=BOG |
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