Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/189264
10B Daily News – Wednesday, October 9, 2013 Think Awareness Pink Breast Cancer Advanced breast cancer cases inching up in young women By Genevra Pittman, Reuters More young women are being diagnosed with advanced, metastatic breast cancer than were three decades ago, according to a U.S. study, with the metastatic breast cancer rate in particular rising about two percent each year. Yet the overall rate of cancers in that group is still small. One in 173 women will develop breast cancer before she turns 40, said researchers whose report appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association - but the prognosis tends to be worse for younger patients. The study, led by Rebecca Johnson at Seattle Children's Hospital and University of Washington, found that the rate of metastatic breast cancer in particular rose about two percent each year between 1976 and 2009 among younger women. "We think that the likelihood is that since this change has been so marked over just a couple of decades, that it's something external, a modifiable lifestyle-related risk factor or perhaps an environmental toxic exposure, but we don't know what," Johnson said. One possibility is that overeating and lack of exercise are driving up early-life metastatic breast cancer rates, Johnson added. Or, the use of hormonal birth control could play a role, she said. But Johnson also pushed for more research into the potential effects of hormones in meat or plastic in bottles, for example. Johnson's team analyzed data from cancer registries run by the National Cancer Institute. As expected, they found that the number of early breast cancer diagnoses increased among middle-aged and older women during the study period, likely due to widespread screening. The only other change in cancer incidence was among the youngest women, between ages 25 and 39. In that group, the number of women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer -- which has spread to the bones, brain or lungs -- rose from one in 65,000 in 1976 to one in 34,000 in 2009. More of the increase appeared to be in cancers that are sensitive to estrogen, which is "comparatively fortunate," the authors note, because those cancers are somewhat more responsive to treatment and have longer average survival rates in general. Still, metastatic cancer is the most dangers kind, with fewer than one-third of women surviving at least five years after diagnosis, Johnson's team wrote. But surgeon Julie Margenthaler, who has studied breast cancer in young women at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, said the new study was limited by a lack of data on women's family history, including which ones were carriers of BRCA gene mutations. Women with those mutations are known to be at high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer at a young age. "It is intriguing data, but I think that it's going to have to be validated in some other datasets," said Margenthaler, who was not involved in the new research. Both she and Johnson agreed that since the number of women involved is still small, there's no need for the findings to either cause alarm or change standard mammogram practices. Johnson said women should still be aware that cancer can happen at an early age, even if screening isn't recommended. "Women need to notice changes in their bodies -- breast lumps, feeling bad -- and promptly seek medical attention for those," she said. "There's a tremendous survival improvement associated with diagnosis before the cancer spreads." 17th Annual "Think Pink" DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 October 2013 93rd Early detection saves lives! Remember your monthly self-breast exams! _______________________________ Jobs available now! • Labor, Forklift, Walnut Sorting • Production, Warehouse • Bookkeeping, Admin• Temporary Workers Call 530-527-0727 or stop by our office today. 243 So. Main Street A Retirement Community for the Active Senior Citizens Tehama Estates provides the best living environment available to active seniors in Red Bluff, CA. We will show you ways to stay involved in the care of loved ones, and work with you to maintain the highest quality of life. ◆ Independent Living ◆ Private Apartments ◆ House Keeping Services ◆ Three Nutritious Meals Daily ◆ 24 Hour Secure Environment ◆ Warm & Friendly Staff ◆Recreational Programs ◆Scheduled Transportation ◆Private & Formal Dining Rooms 750 David Avenue, Red Bluff • 527-9193 www.expresspros.com Call us today to learn more and to schedule your 3D mammogram at 530-527-0414 Look to us for Expert Eye Care. Daniel M. King, M.D. Physician & Eye Surgeon 2450 Sister Mary Columba Drive, Red Bluff, CA 96080 www.lassenmedical.com EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Serving Red Bluff for 30 years APRIL 18, 19, 20, 2014 visit us at: www.redbluffroundup.com also on facebook (530) 527-1000 1-800-545-3500 Dr. Stacy Cullum, O.D. Optometrist Board Certified by American Board of Ophthalmology Clinical Professor at UC Davis Medical Center 411 Cedar Street, Red Bluff (530) 527-6123 New Patients Welcome (530) 527-8777 444 Union Street, Red Bluff Where Excellence Meets Affordable Visit us on the web at www.eliteautomotiveredbluff.com Mon.- Fri. 7:30-5:30 NOW OPEN SATURDAY 10-3 TEHAMA AUTO CENTER GROWNEY MOTORS 1160 Main St., Red Bluff No Appointment Necessary 527-5314 20815 Dalby Ln. • Red Bluff We Aim To Please 527-1034 BUICK www.geogrowney.com HOURS: 1115 Main St. Red Bluff Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm SAT-SUN 10-2 530-527-5151