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Breast cancer
Despite being the second-leading cause of cancer death in women -- lung cancer being number one -- breast cancer, if treated in time, is no longer a death sentence.
Rock singer Melissa Etheridge, pop singer Kylie Minogue, and former First Lady Betty Ford are only a few of the women who fought, or are fighting, battles with breast cancer -- and came out on top. You can, too.
And you can most likely do it without sacrificing your quality of life. With so many new, less-toxic treatment options available to you, you may be able to maintain a regular schedule at work and at home throughout the course of treatment.
Still, this doesn't mean you should let your guard down. Although medical science seems to be getting closer to a cure for breast cancer, it's important to know the causes and risk factors of this disease so you can better protect yourself against it.
Statistics like these highlight how far we've come. The fact that 87% of us survive breast cancer five years after diagnosis is a promising prognosis. It's also crucial to remember that keeping a positive attitude is half the battle.
Many survivors find it comforting to help other women in their fight against breast cancer. It's a way to share what they've learned and create a community of support and hope. Whether you or someone you love has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, knowing all you can about this disease is the first step toward beating it.
And always remember: You may have cancer, but cancer does not have you!
See also
Rock singer Melissa Etheridge, pop singer Kylie Minogue, and former First Lady Betty Ford are only a few of the women who fought, or are fighting, battles with breast cancer -- and came out on top. You can, too.
And you can most likely do it without sacrificing your quality of life. With so many new, less-toxic treatment options available to you, you may be able to maintain a regular schedule at work and at home throughout the course of treatment.
Still, this doesn't mean you should let your guard down. Although medical science seems to be getting closer to a cure for breast cancer, it's important to know the causes and risk factors of this disease so you can better protect yourself against it.
Breast cancer quick facts
- The World Health Organization estimates that there are 1.2 million new cases of breast cancer worldwide each year.
- An estimated 200,000 cases of breast cancer occur in the United States annually.
- The five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is currently 87%.
- Of all racial or ethnic groups, white women are most likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. However, they have the highest survival rate of any group, a fact which is attributed to early detection.
- Breast cancer isn't only for women: there were nearly 1,700 cases of male breast cancer reported in 2005.
Statistics like these highlight how far we've come. The fact that 87% of us survive breast cancer five years after diagnosis is a promising prognosis. It's also crucial to remember that keeping a positive attitude is half the battle.
Many survivors find it comforting to help other women in their fight against breast cancer. It's a way to share what they've learned and create a community of support and hope. Whether you or someone you love has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, knowing all you can about this disease is the first step toward beating it.
And always remember: You may have cancer, but cancer does not have you!
See also
- Breast cancer - Prevalence
- Breast cancer - Prevention
- Breast cancer - Causes and risk factors
- Breast cancer - Detection and diagnosis
- Breast cancer - Treatment options
- Breast cancer - Dealing with the aftermath
- Breast cancer - Prognosis
- Building a support network
- Toni and breast cancer
Latest page update: made by wetpaint
, Sep 27 2006, 4:45 PM EDT
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(Showing the last 5 of 7 - view all)
| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | |
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| SylvieFortin | There's no such thing as a cancer that kills | 1 | Aug 21 2007, 12:30 AM EDT by Anonymous | |
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Thread started: Nov 6 2006, 4:38 PM EST
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I know that sounds strange, especially coming from a woman who has Stage 3 breast cancer at the tender age of 36, but I am here to tell you that cancer isn't what kills us. It is our belief that the cancer will kill us.
Please hear me out. First, read my story here: http://www.BreastCancerVictory.com It will help you understand what I am talking about. It is a radical concept. One which can save your life. As soon as you are diagnosed with cancer, go ahead and cry, scream, yell, be angry, be scared and then move past all that and stay focused on your one and only goal...to stay 100% positive every step of the way. Nothing is uncureable except for hopelessness. Turn every scary thought into a positive one. Trust your doctors and make sure you know exactly why they are doing what they need to do. Take your health into your own hands and question everything. Make sure your healing path is the right one for you. And now spend every waking minute convincing yourself that you WILL SURVIVE! If your doctor says you have a 50% chance of surviving another 10 years, celebrate that you have a 50% chance of surviving, which is far better odds than winning the lottery! If your doctor says you have 3 months to live, CELEBRATE each day and do what makes you happy! Tell your doctor you are going to beat the bell curve and win this game. Think about this... Just because you ahve been diagnosed with cancer doesn't mean you won't get hit by a bus tomorrow. Do you plan to spend your life worrying about getting hit by a bus? Of course not! So why would you spend the rest of your life worrying about cancer? You won't be living long if all you think about is dying. LIVE! SURVIVE! LAUGH! LOVE! Life is too short for any of us to spend it being afraid. And one more thing... Kick cancer's butt! It doesn't stand a chance when you fight it every day |
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| Anonymous | Pharmacy and Medicine | 0 | Mar 30 2007, 10:29 AM EDT by Anonymous | |
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Thread started: Mar 30 2007, 10:29 AM EDT
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"Not all children who misbehave need to be medicated. The impression that my wife and I are getting is that there is a selfish desire to find a quick fix. WBR LeoP"Not all children who misbehave need to be medicated. The impression that my wife and I are getting is that there is a selfish desire to find a quick fix. WBR LeoP |
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| Anonymous | Health man | 0 | Mar 30 2007, 10:29 AM EDT by Anonymous | |
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Thread started: Mar 30 2007, 10:29 AM EDT
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"Not all children who misbehave need to be medicated. The impression that my wife and I are getting is that there is a selfish desire to find a quick fix. WBR LeoP"Not all children who misbehave need to be medicated. The impression that my wife and I are getting is that there is a selfish desire to find a quick fix. WBR LeoP |
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| Anonymous | Health Advisor | 0 | Mar 30 2007, 10:29 AM EDT by Anonymous | |
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Thread started: Mar 30 2007, 10:29 AM EDT
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"Not all children who misbehave need to be medicated. The impression that my wife and I are getting is that there is a selfish desire to find a quick fix. WBR LeoP"Not all children who misbehave need to be medicated. The impression that my wife and I are getting is that there is a selfish desire to find a quick fix. WBR LeoP |
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| Anonymous | Breast cancer | 5 | Nov 6 2006, 4:23 PM EST by SylvieFortin | |
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Thread started: Feb 27 2006, 5:26 PM EST
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I am concerned for my friend that has cancer for the third time. Breast Cancer at that. I fear for her life as she has just been made a grandmother, this is her first grandchild. She is a wonderful person and a asset to society. I have questions that are going unanswered. I hear there are 4 stages of cancer and she is in the third stage. What does this mean? I am confused and upset, she is also being heavily medicated for pain, including oxycoden and morphine. I hear that these drugs are not given until the end is near. Is this true? Phyllis in Shreveport, La, please respond with any information that may be helpful. The grandchild I spoke of is also my grandchild. I think it would be a tragedy if she were to pass and not know this beautiful child, and for my grandchild to have the opportunity to meet her wonderful grandmother taken away.
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(Showing the last 5 of 7 - view all)