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Jill Biden urges women to get mammograms or other cancer exams during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jill Biden is urging women to talk to their doctors about getting mammograms or other cancer screenings during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The first lady is appearing in a new public service announcement that will begin airing this week on the Lifetime cable network. Biden urges women in the 30-second ad to check with their doctors about whether to have the breast X-rays or other cancer screenings.

Biden says in the ad that “early detection of cancer saves lives.” The ad is part of Lifetime’s annual breast cancer awareness campaign. The first lady

is a longtime advocate for breast cancer education and prevention.

Breast cancer is a cause for concern for millions of women. Each year about 264,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Canadian Cancer Society indicates around 28,600 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Globally, data from the World Health Organization indicates roughly 2.3

million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020.

One of the more notable symptoms of breast cancer is the presence of a lump in the breast. Though not all lumps are malignant, it’s important that women learn about breast anatomy and lumps as part of their preventive health care routines.

Mount Sinai says that breast lumps can occur at any age in both men and

“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I’m asking you to put your health first,” the first lady says in the 30-second spot recorded amid flower blooms in the White House Rose Garden.

“Take a moment to talk to your doctor about whether it’s time for your mammogram or other cancer screenings,” she says in the announcement airing this week on the Lifetime cable network. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but we know that early detection of cancer saves lives.”

AP Photo

Biden’s ad is part of an annual breast cancer awareness campaign by Lifetime, according to the cable network. A separate public service announcement featuring similar messages from actor Kes-

hia Knight Pulliam and TV correspondent Rachel Lindsay will also be broadcast by the network.

The first lady is a longtime advocate for breast cancer education and prevention dating

women. Hormonal changes can cause breast enlargement and lumps during puberty, and boys and girls may even be born with lumps from the estrogen received from their mothers.

It is important to note that the vast majority of breast lumps are benign.

The National Institutes of Health says 60 to 80 percent of all breast lumps are non-cancerous. The most common causes of breast lumps are fibroadenomas and fibrocystic changes.

Fibroademomas are small, smooth, moveable, painless round lumps that usually affect women who are at an age to have children, indicates the Merck Manual. They are non-cancerous and feel rubbery.

Fibrocystic changes are painful, lumpy breasts.

This benign condition does not increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer.

Symptoms often are worse right before one’s menstru-

al period, and then improve after the period begins.

Additional factors can contribute to the formation of lumps. Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs that likely go away on their own or may be aspirated to relieve pain. Complex cysts may need to be removed surgically. Sometimes cysts also may form in milk ducts throughout the breasts.

Lumps also may be the result of injury. Blood can collect under the skin and form a type of lump called a hematoma. Other lumps may be traced to lipomas, which is a collection of fatty tissue or breast abscesses, which typically occur if a person is breastfeeding or has recently given birth.

Additional causes of lumps can be discussed with a doctor. Though the majority of lumps are not a cause for concern, it is important for people to regularly feel their breasts to check for abnormalities.

to 1993, when four of her friends were diagnosed with the disease. Shortly afterward, she launched the Biden Breast Health Initiative to teach high school girls in Delaware about the importance of early detection.

In the White House, she and her husband, President Joe Biden, are driving efforts to prevent more than 4 million cancer deaths by 2047 and improve the experience for people who are touched by cancer, including patients, their families and their caregivers.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in U.S. women after skin cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Con-

What to know about breast lumps

Doctors may recommend annual mammograms to women age 40 and older. In its earliest stages, breast cancer may produce little to no visible symptoms, but a mammogram may be able to catch something early on.

trol and Prevention.

Breast cancer deaths have declined over time but remain the second leading cause of cancer death among women overall, the CDC said.

One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

The first lady is among the millions of people in the U.S. who have been touched by cancer.

Earlier this year, she had cancerous lesions removed from above her right eye and her chest.

In 2015, she and the president lost their 46-year-old son, Beau, to brain cancer.

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Groups at elevated risk for breast cancer

Did you know?

The length of time a women will receive treatment for breast cancer will ultimately depend on a host of variables unique to each individual. According to the nonprofit organization Living Beyond Breast Cancer, an individual diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer can be in active treatment for about one year. The administration of medicine, the performance or surgery and ongoing therapies are all considered part of active treatment. The Mayo Clinic reports that chemotherapy, a treatment option that utilizes various drugs to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth, can last between three to six months for patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Treatment with chemotherapy can extend beyond six months for individuals with advanced stage breast cancer. Hormonal therapy also can extend the time breast cancer patients are in treatment, as the American Cancer Society reports that this option typically requires patients to take a pill for five years. However, hormonal therapy can extend past five years in certain instances.

The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 exceeded two million. That figure, courtesy of the World Health Organization, underscores the significance of the threat posed by the disease.

Though no one is immune to breast cancer, researchers have concluded that certain groups have a higher risk of developing the disease than others. Women who recognize their personal risk for breast cancer may not be able to change certain factors that increase their chances of developing the disease. However, recognition of their personal risk could put women in position to lower that risk in other ways. According to the WHO, the following are some groups who are at elevated risk of developing breast cancer.

• Women: Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that less

than 1 percent of all breast cancer cases occur in men.

Though it’s still important for men to recognize they’re not immune to the disease, women must also recognize that nearly all of the more than two million annual breast cancer diagnoses across the globe are found in women.

• Women 50 and older: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older. A report from the National Cancer Institute indicates that a 30-yearold woman has a 1 in 204 chance (0.49 percent) of being diagnosed with breast cancer, while a 40-year-old has a 1 in 65 chance (1.55 percent) of being diagnosed. By the time women reach age 60, their risk is 1 in 28 (3.54 percent), while a 70-year-old has a 1 in 24 chance (4.09 percent) of

being diagnosed. Though women of any age can get the disease, the risk clearly increases as women get older.

• Women who meet the criteria for being overweight or obese: The nonprofit organization Susan G. Komen®, which helps to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer, notes that women who are overweight or obese after menopause have a 20 to 60 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who are not overweight or obese. The American Cancer Society reports that having more fat tissue increases breast cancer risk because it raises estrogen levels. However, the ACS notes the link between weight and breast cancer risk is complicated, so it’s worth it for women concerned about their cancer risk to open a dialogue with their physicians.

• Women who consume alcohol: The MD Anderson Cancer Center reports that alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk are linked. Though the precise cause of the link is unknown, one theory suggests that consuming alcohol can increase estrogen levels as well as the levels of other hormones associated with breast cancer. However, the MDACC warns that the risk is very low, particularly for women who limit their consumption to one drink or less per day. Routinely consuming more than one alcoholic drink per day is a cause for concern.

It’s vital that women recognize their risk for breast cancer. Though any woman can be diagnosed with breast cancer, certain factors, including some that can be avoided, can increase a woman’s risk for the disease.

5 fruits and vegetables associated with reducing cancer risk The prevalence of cancer is widely known. Affecting people of every ethnicity and across the socioeconomic spectrum, cancer poses a threat to people in all corners of the globe. And that threat could be more significant in the immediate future.

Estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer indicate that the global population boom and the growth of the world’s aging population could result in more than 16 million cancer deaths each year by 2040.

The statistics surrounding global incidence rates for cancer are startling, which can give the impression that cancer is an inevitability for hundreds of millions of

people across the globe.

However, there’s much individuals can do to reduce their cancer risk.

According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, a healthy diet can help reduce cancer risk. A diet that focuses on plants and emphasizes healthy choices may not eliminate the threat of cancer, but it can be an integral component of a preventive health care regimen.

With that in mind, the following are five fruits and vegetables associated with reducing cancer risk, courtesy of the MDACC.

ute to various cancers, including skin cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer, among others.

Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries make wonderful additions to anyone’s diet.

2. Cruciferous vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, and brussel sprouts, among others. The MDACC notes that studies have indicated that special plant compounds in cruciferous vegetables may protect the body from stomach cancer and cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, 1. Berries: Berries con- and esophagus. tain antioxidants, which protect the body from cell 3. Garlic: The experts damage that can contrib- at Mount Sinai note that

garlic is often linked with reduced risk for heart disease, notably the prevention of atherosclerosis, which affects the arteries through the deposition of plaques of fatty acids along the arterial walls. However, antioxidant-rich garlic also helps the body fight off harmful free radicals that can contribute to cancer.

4. Spinach: The Centers or Disease Control and Prevention notes that colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States. Studies have found that spinach inhibits the growth of colon polyps that can develop into colorectal cancer.

5. Tomatoes: Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives tomatoes their bright red color. According to the National Cancer Institute, though human studies have produced inconsistent results, various in vitro and animal studies have indicated that lycopene may have chemopreven-

tive effects for cancers of the prostate, skin, breast, lung, and liver.

Eating these five fruits and vegetables is not the only way to use diet in the fight against cancer.

Individuals are urged to speak with their physicians to learn about the many ways to utilize food in cancer prevention.

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Breast cancer FAQ The World Health Organization reports that roughly 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. By the end of that year, there were nearly eight million women alive who had been diagnosed with the disease in the previous half decade.

A breast cancer diagnosis inevitably leads to questions about the disease. The bulk of those questions undoubtedly are asked by the millions of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. But millions more individuals, including friends and family members of recently diagnosed women, may have their own questions. Women can discuss the specifics of their diagnosis with their physicians. In the meantime, the following are some frequently asked questions and answers that can help anyone better understand this potentially deadly disease.

What is breast cancer?

Cancer is a disease marked by the abnormal growth of cells that invade healthy cells in the body.

Breast cancer is a form of the disease that begins in the cells of the breast. The National Breast Cancer Foundation notes that the cancer can then invade surrounding tissues or

spread to other areas of the an increased risk of develbody. oping breast cancer. However, the organization notes Can exercise help to that risk is very small bereduce my breast cancer cause modern birth control risk? pills contain low amounts The NBCF notes that of hormones. exercise strengthens the immune system and womCan breastfeeding reen who commit to as little duce breast cancer risk? as three hours of physical Breastfeeding and breast activity per week can be- cancer are linked, though gin to reduce their risk for the NBCF notes that the breast cancer. However, role breastfeeding plays in even routine exercise does lowering cancer risk denot completely eliminate a pends on how long a womwoman’s risk of develop- an breastfeeds. The World ing breast cancer.

Cancer Research Fund International notes that Is there a link between evidence indicates that the diet and breast cancer? greater number of months The organization Susan women continue breastG. Komen®, a nonprofit feeding, the greater the prosource of funding for the tection they have against fight against breast cancer, breast cancer. reports that studies have shown eating fruits and Is there a connecvegetables may be linked tion between stress and to a lower risk for breast breast cancer? cancer, while consuming The NBCF notes that alcohol is linked to an in- researchers have found creased risk for the dis- that traumatic events and ease. In addition, the NBCF losses can alter how the reports that a high-fat diet immune system functions, increases breast cancer which can provide an oprisk because fat triggers es- portunity for cancer cells trogen production that can to establish themselves fuel tumor growth. within a person’s body.

The NBCF urges women to Is there a link between identify ways to keep their oral contraceptives and stress levels in check. breast cancer?

Breast cancer education The NBCF reports that can be a valuable asset as women who have been us- women seek to reduce their ing birth control pills for risk for the disease. more than five years are at

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What distinguishes the different types of breast cancer?

Individuals can experience a whirlwind of emotion upon being diagnosed with cancer. No one ever expects to receive such a diagnosis, so the moment a physician delivers such news can be emotional and compromise a person’s ability to focus. Once those emotions settle down and individuals resolve to overcome the disease, they typically have a lot of questions.

One of the questions doctors will attempt to answer is which subtype of cancer a person has. For example, when doctors initially

deliver a breast cancer diagnosis, they may explain that further testing will be necessary to determine precisely which type of breast cancer an individual has. Identifying the subtype of breast cancer helps doctors choose the most effective course of treatment, but it’s understandable if patients and their families become confused during the process. The following rundown can help breast cancer patients understand this crucial next step after diagnosis.

type determined?

The American Cancer Society notes that breast cancer type is determined by the specific cells in the breast that become cancer.

The Mayo Clinic reports that a medical team will use a tissue sample from a patient’s breast biopsy or, for patients who have already undergone surgery, the tumor to identify the cancer type.

What are the types of breast cancer I might be diagnosed with?

There are many types of How is breast cancer breast cancer, but some are

more common than others.

Invasive and non-invasive (also referred to as “carcinoma in situ”) are the two main subtypes of breast cancer.

According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the most common types of invasive breast cancer are invasive ductal carcinoma, which affects the inner lining of the milk ducts, and invasive lobular carcinoma, which originates from the glands that produce milk.

The UPMC reports that the most common in situ types are ductal carcino-

ma in situ, which is cancer that remains within the milk ducts, and lobular carcinoma in situ, which does not often develop into breast cancer though it is considered a risk factor for an invasive form of the disease.

The ACS notes that triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer that accounts for roughly 15 percent of all breast cancers.

Triple-negative breast cancer can be difficult to treat.

Less common types of breast cancer, each of which account for between

1 and 3 percent of diagnoses in a given year, include Paget disease of the breast, angiosarcoma and phyllodes tumor.

A breast cancer diagnosis marks the beginning of a sometimes lengthy but often successful journey that has ended in full recovery for millions of women across the globe.

More information about the various types of breast cancer can be found at cancer.org.

What to know about treating breast cancer during pregnancy There’s never a good time to receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Such news often changes the lives of patients and their families. Though survival rates for breast cancer have improved dramatically in recent years, a diagnosis is still cause for concern. And that concern only grows when the woman who is diagnosed also happens to be pregnant.

The National Cancer Institute notes that breast cancer during pregnancy is rare. NCI data indicates breast cancer occurs in about one in every 3,000 pregnancies. However, the rarity of such diagnoses does not make them any easier to confront. Knowl-

edge can be vital as women and their families navigate a breast cancer diagnosis during pregnancy.

ment doctors decide to pursue when a patient is pregnant. The National Breast Cancer Foundation indicates such factors inTreatment during clude: pregnancy • Tumor size • Tumor location The American Cancer • Which term of the pregSociety reports that wom- nancy a woman is in en can safely be treated for breast cancer during pregThe ACS adds that nancy. However, treatment whether or not the tumor for pregnant women will has spread, and how far it likely differ from treatment has spread, are additional for women who are not ex- factors doctors will conpecting. The ACS notes sider when determining a that the types of treatment course treatment for pregavailable to pregnant wom- nant women diagnosed en and the timing of the with breast cancer. A womtreatment might be affect- an’s overall health and pered by the pregnancy. sonal preferences also will Various factors will af- be considered prior to befect which course of treat- ginning treatment.

Treatment options The NBCF reports that doctors will consider popular treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy when treating breast cancer patients who are pregnant.

However, the decision to administer such treatments to pregnant women is not as straightforward as it might be when planning a course of treatment for women who are not expecting. For example, though chemotherapy can be safely administered to pregnant women, there are specific windows of time to deliver chemotherapy without harming the baby.

Radiation is considered unsafe for an unborn child, so while it’s something doctors will consider or even recommend when designing a treatment plan for pregnant women, the NBCF notes it is always administered after the child is born. The same typically goes for hormone therapy, as the NBCF reports that the effects of hormone therapy on unborn children are still not entirely understood.

After the child is born Many new mothers aspire to breastfeed their newborns, but the ACS reports that doctors recommend women who are

about to receive breast cancer treatment cease or not start breastfeeding. Drugs used during chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy can enter breast milk and be passed on to the baby.

A breast cancer diagnosis during pregnancy is rare, but the ACS reports that most studies have found that outcomes among pregnant and non-pregnant women with breast cancer are roughly the same for cancers found at the same stage. Such studies can provide hope to women and their families as they embark on their treatment journeys.

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How to approach work after a breast cancer diagnosis A breast cancer diagnosis affects every facet of a woman’s life. While women and their families must prioritize treatment, a host of additional variables, including work, also merit consideration after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Work is an important part of life, so it’s understandable if women are concerned about how a breast cancer diagnosis will affect their careers.

With that in mind, women can consider these tips as they share news of their diagnosis with their employers.

• Prioritize your own comfort when speaking to an employer about your diagnosis.

Breastcancer. org notes that a woman’s comfort level is the most important factor when sharing news of a breast cancer diagnosis with an employer. Some women may want to inform only a few coworkers they’re close with, while others may find it easier to let everyone know. There’s no wrong or

right way to share a diagnosis, so women should prioritize their own comfort when choosing which way to go. To ensure things go smoothly and your wishes are honored, consider first breaking the news to a supervisor in a private faceto-face meeting or Zoom call.

• Decide what you want to share. The Australia-based Cancer Council notes that individuals must decide what they want to share regarding their diagnosis.

Women can speak to their physicians to determine how long they will continue working, if their ability to work full-time will be affected by treatment and the projected length of treatment. Answers to the these questions can help women decide how much to share with their employers. If treatment will be lengthy and require time off to recover, then sharing such information can help employers arrange to cover your responsibilities.

• Take additional mea-

sures to overcome side effects of treatment. Breastcancer.org notes that treatment can produce cognitive side effects such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating. Successful professionals will undoubtedly want to maintain the standard they have established for themselves, and that can be done by taking a few simple steps to overcome any cognitive issues that may arise during treatment. Record Zoom calls so you can go back and view them, if necessary. Take copious notes during strategizing sessions. Begin using a planner so you can stay on top of deadlines.

These simple measures are easy to employ and can ensure women don’t miss a beat during treatment.

• Take time off, if necessary. Time off should always be a consideration during cancer treatment.

Breastcancer.org notes that various programs can help women meet their financial obligations if they’re no longer earning income.

Some employers may pay full salaries during treatment and not count time off as vacation or personal time, while others may grant short-term disability benefits that can provide some income during extended time off. Explore all of your options with the human resources staff at your firm.

A breast cancer diagnosis may require women to alter their work habits and schedules. Even the simplest tweaks can have a profound impact and allow women to direct much of Breast cancer affects millions of women each year, but their energy and focus on breast cancer also can be diagnosed in men. Each year in their treatment. the United States, about 2,400 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Roughly 270 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in Canada, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Macmillan Cancer Support says men have a small amount of breast tissue behind their nipples, where breast cancer potentially can develop.

Breast tissue in boys and girls is the same until puberty, when girls start to develop more. Signs of male breast cancer include a lump or swelling in the breast, redness or flaky skin in the breast, irritation or dimpling of the skin around the nipple, nipple discharge, or pulling in or pain of the nipple, states the CDC.

Cancer is a formidable disease that the World Health Organization reports is the leading cause of death worldwide. Figures vary, but organizations such as the WHO and the American Cancer Society estimate that around 9.5 million people die from cancer every year.

No type of cancer causes more deaths in women across the globe than breast cancer. Though the five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients has increased by a significant margin in recent decades, a 2019 study published in The Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention reported a significant increase in breast cancer mortality rate in the 25-year period preceding the study. The researchers behind the study

theorized that the spike in mortality rate could be due to an increase in incidence and prevalence of breast cancer.

Like all cancers, breast cancer cannot be prevented. However, various healthy habits could help women reduce their risk for the disease.

• Avoid alcohol. The ACS reports that alcohol consumption is a clear risk factor for breast cancer.

Risk increases with the amount of alcohol a woman consumes. For example, a woman who consumes one alcoholic drink per day has a 7 to 10 percent higher risk of getting breast cancer than a woman who abstains from alcohol. Drinking two to three drinks per day could increase risk by around 20 percent.

• Establish and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases breast cancer risk, particularly among postmenopausal women.

According to the ACS, after menopause women get most of their estrogen from fat tissue. Fat tissue increases estrogen levels in the body, which in turn increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Elevated levels of insulin in the body, which is common among individuals who are overweight, also has been linked to higher breast cancer risk. Establishing and maintaining a healthy weight cannot prevent breast cancer, but it can help women reduce their risk for the disease.

• Maintain a physically active lifestyle. A seden-

tary lifestyle increases a person’s risk for various conditions and diseases.

Women who live such a lifestyle are at elevated risk for breast cancer. The ACS notes that sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching television, or engaging with screen-based forms of entertainment that do not require physical activity can increase breast cancer risk, especially for women who spend most of their work day sitting down.

A more physically active lifestyle that includes routine exercise can help women reduce their breast cancer risk.

• Adopt a nutritious diet. Eating right is another way for women to reduce their breast cancer risk. Vegetables, fiber-rich

Did you know?

Healthy habits that could help women reduce their breast cancer risk legumes such as beans and peas, fruits across the color spectrum, and whole grains are some components of a healthy, nutrient-rich diet that can help lower breast cancer risk.

Women also can avoid certain foods, such as red and processed meats and refined grains, to lower their breast cancer risk.

Though there’s no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, women can embrace various healthy habits to lower their risk for the disease.

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