Women's Information Network
Against Breast Cancer

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Re: Will I get Breast Cancer????????

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Posted by Betsy Mullen on 3/1/2000 from 152.163.194.177:
In reply to: Will I get Breast Cancer????????? posted by Theresa on 2/28/2000 from 152.163.206.214:
I am very glad you posted your message and I would like for you to call our office so that we can spend one-on-one time with you to help you work through your questions and fear. We do not have a toll-free number at present, but will call you back immediately so that the call is "on our dime". Our main office telephone number is (626) 332-2255.

In answer to your main question, unfortunately, we cannot predict for sure who will get breast cancer, but there are known risk factors that can be used to assess risk.

I hope by now that everybody knows that smoking is a health hazard with a direct link to inreased risk if cancer. Have you tried quitting and are you interested in learning more about smoking cessation?

The fact that your mother had breast cancer and at a relatively early age is a risk factor for both you and her sister (your aunt). I am very sorry for your loss and painful experience with your mom's illness and death. Every state has free and no-cost screening programs, all of the major pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs for free medications to individuals that qualify including Tamoxifen, anti-nasuea drugs and chemotherapy drugs. The state of California has a Treatment Fund to provide free treatment to medically underserved patients. There are resources out there and organizations such as WIN Against Breast Cancer are here to help.

The key to protection is early detection and personal health responsibility. We can now use the word cure when it comes to treating early stage breast cancer. It is important to take care of yourself in terms of a well-balanced diet, exercise, regular monthly breast self-exams, regular clinical breast exams and PAP smears, moderate alcohol consumption and smoking cessation. Yes, you are right, there is a link between alcohol and breast cancer.

The fact that you have had a child before the age of 30 is very good as not having a child before age 30 is a risk factor for breast cancer. This does not necessarily negate any other risk factors, though.

We can discuss these issues with you and send you informtion about assessing your risk for breast cancer and will be happy to do so.

Many breast cancers are affected by estrogen -- in essence they feed off of estrogen. There is a test that breast cancer patients get after breast cancer surgery called a Hormone Receptor Test -- the tumor is checked for both estrogen and progesterone receptors. This is one test that a patient wants to hear has a positive result because typically, those cancers tend to be less aggressive and can be treated with hormonal therapy to block the hormone receptors. Tamoxifen is an estrogen receptor blocker. I am not a physician or a nurse (I am the CEO of WIN Against Breast Cancer) and I am presenting you with simplified explanations. We can send you a free videotape about Tamoxifen that will very clearly, understandably and throughouly explain how Tamoxifen works. This drug has been well studied for breast cancer patients, and there are clinical trials underway for healthy women to see if this drug can help prevent breast cancer. But, as with any drug, there are both benefts and risks. I hope that we are in touch with each other in 5 years when you can tell me that you are a healthy 30-year old. One of the side effects of Tamoxifen is, is that it would very, very likely if not most certainly, throw you into early menopause. That's a biggy for a 30-year old.

There is now genetic testing available to determine a woman's risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

It is very important to keep in mind that everybody is different and that every body is different. You should feel fully empowered to ask your doctors any question you feel necessary in order for you to get the informstion you need to make informed health care decisions and to clearly understand your risk factors and health status. We always advocate for second opinions -- someting patients are entitled to receive and that you should feel free to ask for and get.

We will be happy to work with you on suggested questions to ask your doctor as well as communication tips to communicate and partner with your health care team.

Have you throught about talikg to a professional about your fears? I can relate to what you are going through, and talking to a trained counselor can be a source of great comfort and help. Resources are out there such as the Wellness Community (we have a link on this site) that provide free psychosocial services for cancer patients and their families. The local Wellness Community in your area may be able to help you.

We have a couple of neat relaxation tapes that we can send you, and sometines it helps to stop your thoughts by putting on some headphones and listening to relaxing music or positive affirmations. We can even send you an activitiy called "Thought Stopping" to help you work through your fear.

Please let us know how we can best be of help to you.