Ask the Nurse: Breast Cancer Prevention

Dear Nurse Bonnie,
I am 68 yrs old. What are my chances of getting breast cancer?
Mrs. E.G.

Dear Mrs. E.G.,
The American Cancer Society estimated 212,600 people would be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003….1,300 men amongst them. First, please understand that numbers I offer are general statistics from the American Cancer Society for 2002 and any one individual’s risk for developing breast cancer may be based on a host of factors other than age…such as family history, reproductive history, breast feeding, weight, ethnicity, diet, life style, exercise and perhaps environmental factors amongst them. Second, a woman’s risk increases with age. At age 25, 1 in 19,608 women will get breast cancer; but, by age 65 that increases to 1 in 17, and at 75, it is 1 in 11….at 85, 1 in 9.
An American Woman’s Lifetime Risk of Developing :
Breast Cancer……………………………… 1 in 8
Heart Disease……………………….1 in 2
Diabetes…………………………… 1 in 3
Alcoholism………………………… 1 in 3
Stroke……………………………… 1 in 5

The American Cancer Society estimated 212,600 people would be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003….1,300 men amongst them. First, please understand that numbers I offer are general statistics from the American Cancer Society for 2002 and any one individual’s risk for developing breast cancer may be based on a host of factors other than age…such as family history, reproductive history, breast feeding, weight, ethnicity, diet, life style, exercise and perhaps environmental factors amongst them. Second, a woman’s risk increases with age. At age 25, 1 in 19,608 women will get breast cancer; but, by age 65 that increases to 1 in 17, and at 75, it is 1 in 11….at 85, 1 in 9. An American Woman’s Lifetime Risk of Developing : Breast Cancer……………………………… 1 in 8Heart Disease……………………….1 in 2Diabetes…………………………… 1 in 3Alcoholism………………………… 1 in 3Stroke……………………………… 1 in 5

The American Cancer Society estimated 212,600 people would be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003….1,300 men amongst them. First, please understand that numbers I offer are general statistics from the American Cancer Society for 2002 and any one individual’s risk for developing breast cancer may be based on a host of factors other than age…such as family history, reproductive history, breast feeding, weight, ethnicity, diet, life style, exercise and perhaps environmental factors amongst them. Second, a woman’s risk increases with age. At age 25, 1 in 19,608 women will get breast cancer; but, by age 65 that increases to 1 in 17, and at 75, it is 1 in 11….at 85, 1 in 9. An American Woman’s Lifetime Risk of Developing : Breast Cancer……………………………… 1 in 8Heart Disease……………………….1 in 2Diabetes…………………………… 1 in 3Alcoholism………………………… 1 in 3Stroke……………………………… 1 in 5

The American Cancer Society estimated 212,600 people would be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003….1,300 men amongst them. First, please understand that numbers I offer are general statistics from the American Cancer Society for 2002 and any one individual’s risk for developing breast cancer may be based on a host of factors other than age…such as family history, reproductive history, breast feeding, weight, ethnicity, diet, life style, exercise and perhaps environmental factors amongst them. Second, a woman’s risk increases with age. At age 25, 1 in 19,608 women will get breast cancer; but, by age 65 that increases to 1 in 17, and at 75, it is 1 in 11….at 85, 1 in 9. An American Woman’s Lifetime Risk of Developing : Breast Cancer……………………………… 1 in 8Heart Disease……………………….1 in 2Diabetes…………………………… 1 in 3Alcoholism………………………… 1 in 3Stroke……………………………… 1 in 5

As the recently deceased (lung cancer) 56 yr. old musician/writer Warren Zevon said: “Life will kill you.” He also said, “Enjoy every sandwich.”

Having said that, I am a strong advocate for encouraging people to live their lives in a way that is CONSCIOUS. Decisions such as whether to smoke, eat fatty foods, exercise or not are very personal. Please attempt to remain presently conscious…and grateful…with each breath. If you do remain truly conscious of your choices and grateful for your Life…you can decrease some risk, have early detection (yearly mammograms and monthly breast self-examination) and should live to enjoy more sandwiches !

NURSE BONNIE’S TOP TEN REASONS FOR GETTING A FLU SHOT
1. FLU VACCINE IS KILLED VIRUS & CANNOT GIVE YOU THE FLU !
2. Have Medicare or Medicaid…? IT’s FREE !!
3. Chills raking your body liable to increase monthly heating bill.
4. Rather not be one of the est. 36,000 to DIE of flu this season
5. Seen the cost of a box of tissues lately ???
6. They don’t warm hospital bedpans (114,000 hospitalizations expected for flu!)
7. Your own coughing & sneezing drowning out the #’s called at BINGO.
8. Canned chicken soup…LOADED with sodium !
9. Red, drippy noses NOT a fashion statement.
10. YOU HAVE MUCH BETTER THINGS TO DO than to be lying around feeling sick as **** !!!!!!
Last Modified: 11/6/2007 4:08:28 PM
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