October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a yearly acknowledgment of the sobering reality: one in eight women in the United States will develop the disease in her lifetime.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. You probably know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer. It’s the second leading cause of cancer death for women in this country and an estimated 42,250 U.S. women will die from breast cancer this year alone.
But there is good news. Approximately 66 percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage before cancer has spread outside of the breast, and the 5-year relative survival rate for cancer diagnosed at the localized stage is 99 percent.
A recent American Cancer Society study found that breast cancer death rates declined 42 percent from 1989 to 2021 among women. Other studies have shown that as many as 50 to 70 percent of breast cancers can be prevented, depending on when people adopt risk-reducing behaviors and lifestyle changes. Here are a few to consider:
• limit or abstain from alcohol. Even one drink a day for women is linked with a higher risk of breast cancer, particularly HR-positive breast cancer. Women who drink two to three drinks a day have a 20 percent higher risk of breast cancer than women who don’t drink.
• eat less meat and more fruits, vegetables and whole grains
• lose excess weight and stay physically active
• quit smoking
• avoid menopausal hormone therapy with estrogen and progesterone in combination. A woman taking such hormone therapy for five to 14 years has double the breast cancer risk of one who didn’t take hormone therapy.
Residents are fortunate to have two wonderful resources right here in Hinsdale. The UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Cancer Center, 1 Salt Creek Lane, offers patients access to academic-powered expertise, clinical trials and the latest technology.
The state-of-the-art facility offers comprehensive, personalized cancer treatment support with outpatient diagnostic imaging and lab services. The center offers digital mammography with 3D capabilities for dense breasts and stereotactic image-guided breast biopsy among other services.
Wellness House at 131 N. County Line Road (read about the women leading the agency’s fundraiser on Page 9), offers classes in nutrition, exercise and stress management for those battling cancer as well as opportunities to connect with others on the cancer journey.
Check out the breast cancer exercise class from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturdays (a medical release, health history and an exercise consultation with a staff member is required prior to registration). The third and final installment of a breast cancer yoga class will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.
A breast cancer support group meets the first and third Thursdays of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m., and a metastatic breast cancer group meets the first Monday of the month from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
For more information or to register for these or other programs, visit http://www.wellnesshouse.org.
