Dr. Funk

Dr. Funk Answers Your Questions About Breast Cancer

Remember, you should always consult your own medical professional for any medical or health care advice. Do not rely solely on any information or advice provided on this page.

Q: How many women are impacted by breast cancer?

A: One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer. That means 12.1 percent of all women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. The good news is that if it is caught early (when the cancer hasn’t left the breast) the 5-year relative survival rate is 98 percent. Why so high? Early detection and effective treatments have dramatically improved the survival rate of breast cancer.

Q: Is there a cure for breast cancer?

A: No. Although breast cancer can be treated – and treated well - there is no cure, which makes it even more important that we’re raising awareness about early detection, informing ourselves about the impact of healthy lifestyle choices and making donations so that research can be supported to find a cure.

Q: What can I do to support the breast cancer cause?

A: I'm glad you asked that! There are many ways you can join the fight against breast cancer. Personally, I love Yoplait’s Save Lids to Save Lives program, because it makes it so easy for me to contribute to the cause. Just save the pink lids from Yoplait yogurt cups this September and October, and Yoplait will donate 10 cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® for each lid mailed in through December 31, 2011, up to $2 million. You can also visit www.komen.org to learn about upcoming Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® events, like your local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure^® or Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink for the Cure^® program.

Q: Does my lifestyle impact my risk of developing breast cancer?

A: Yes, some lifestyle choices may impact breast cancer risk – making it go up or down. Among others, there is some evidence that your diet, hormone use, alcohol consumption, exercise and weight, may increase or decrease cancer risk. Remember: your risk of developing breast cancer goes up significantly as you age – and there’s really nothing you can do about getting older! This is why it’s so important to be aware of what you can control in your life that could be contributing to breast cancer. Also, make sure you understand your family’s medical history and talk to your doctor about your personal risk.

Q: Are there specific things I can do to reduce my risk?

A: Yes! While you cannot prevent breast cancer, there are a few important things you can do that may help reduce breast cancer risk. Here are three ways to take control of your breast health:

One: Maintain a healthy weight. This will help you with different health issues.
- Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet, choose lean meats and fish, and load up on fruits and vegetables. Good nutrition helps women maintain a healthy weight and has several proven health benefits. Studies are ongoing about the role of diet in reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Two: Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Most often, doctors consider moderate alcohol intake to be one drink per day for women. For some that may sound like a lot, but for others that is an eye-opener.

Three: Add exercise into your routine. Taking a brisk walk every day, or any other exercise you enjoy, may reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. So, get movin'!

Q: What types of testing are available?

A: The main types of testing are physical exams, imaging studies, and genetic analysis. First of all, know your body. Know what is normal for you; you can perform breast self-exams to understand the "terrain" of your breast – know how it looks and feels. If you notice any change in your breasts, see your doctor. Secondly, speaking of your doctor, you should have a clinical breast exam at least every three years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40. Finally, if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancers, discuss it with your doctor to find out which screening tests are right for you. After assessing your risks, like age and family history, your doctor may order a mammogram, other imaging tests like ultrasound and MRI, or genetic screening tests.

Q: How important is early detection?

A: Early detection is one of the most important things you can do to fight breast cancer, since there is still no guaranteed cure, and preventive strategies never reduce your risk to zero. Mammography is the gold standard of care for screening for the disease and I’m very passionate about mammograms because they do save lives – many lives. For you to avoid it because it may feel uncomfortable is a bad decision; mammograms can detect breast cancer at stage 0 or 1 - when the 5-year relative survival rate is 98 percent. So please, if you are over 40, the annual squishing is worth it – I’m sure everyone who loves you would agree with me.

Q: What should I do if I notice any change in my breast?

A: You should always consult your doctor if you think you notice a change in your breast or are concerned about your health. Never be embarrassed. If it's nothing, what could be better? And if it's cancer, you will be glad you didn't wait. After seeing your doctor, you can also reach out to trusted breast cancer organizations, like Susan G. Komen for the Cure^®, to learn more. Visit http://www.Komen.org or call 1-877-GO-KOMEN.