Facts About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers.

• The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 (12%).
  
• In 2008, an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States.
  
• In addition to invasive breast cancer, there will be about 67,770 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) in 2008. CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Most women who develop breast cancer do not have known risk factors, but some factors may increase the chance of developing this disease. One of these risk factors is age — more than 78 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over age 50. Other factors include:

• Early onset of menstruation
  
• Family history of breast cancer in your mother or sister
  
• Hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progesterone
  
• Excessive alcohol consumption
  
• A personal history of breast cancer

Types of Breast Cancer

• Cancer confined within a duct is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
  
• Tumors that break through the wall of the duct are called infiltrating carcinomas
  
• Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of cancer that involves the entire breast

Diagnosing Breast Cancer
It is important to have any breast lump or underarm lump checked by a professional.

• In some cases, a biopsy using a needle to remove and examine cells from the lump will be done to determine if you have breast cancer
  
• A stereotactic biopsy uses mammography to pinpoint abnormalities seen on a mammogram and removes a small amount of tissue by a needle for diagnosis
  
• Your surgeon may suggest removing the lump to see if you have cancer

At the Breast Diagnostic Center of Marin, we perform all types of breast screenings and diagnostic services including digital mammography. We also do stereotactic needle biopsy procedures, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI.

Should you need services beyond the scope of the Breast Diagnostic Center of Marin, the Marin Cancer Institute’s Breast Health Program offers a comprehensive guide for the diagnosis, treatment and follow up of breast cancer.

*"What are the Key Statistics About Breast Cancer?," American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org