Saturday, October 4, 2014

13 Facts you should know about breast cancer



13 Facts Everyone Should Know about Metastatic Breast Cancer
(click HERE to download a flyer you can print and distribute)
1. No one dies from breast cancer that remains in the breast. Metastasis occurs when cancerous cells travel to a vital organ and that is what threatens life.

2. Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer to different parts of the body, typically the bones, liver, lungs and brain.

3. An estimated 155,000 Americans are currently living with metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

4. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is lifelong and focuses on control of the disease and quality of life.

5. About 6% to 10% of people are Stage IV from their initial diagnosis.

6. Early detection does not guarantee a cure. Metastatic breast cancer can occur 5, 10 or 15 years after a person's original diagnosis and successful treatment checkups and annual mammograms.

7. 20% to 30% of people initially diagnosed with early stage disease will develop metastatic breast cancer.

8. Young people, as well as men, can be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

9. Like early stage breast cancer, there are different types of metastatic breast cancer.

10. Treatment choices are guided by breast cancer type, location and extent of metastasis in the body, previous treatments and other factors.

11. Metastatic breast cancer is not an automatic death sentence. Although most people will ultimately die of their disease, some will live long and productive lives.

12. There are no definitive prognostic statistics for metastatic breast cancer. Every patient and their disease is unique.

13. To learn more about National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 13 and to access resources specifically for people living with metastatic breast cancer and their caregivers, visit www.mbcn.org.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Pinktober Rant-stavezganza



My friends,
orgive me a little bit of a rant about October being so pink.  I realize that this "holiday" was started as a way to increase awareness of a horrible disease.  One that I suffer from the little mentioned form of (metastasis). I really think that the objective has been achieved.  Everyone, all over the world, knows about breast cancer, self exam and mammography.  Since there is little to do in the way of actually preventing yourself from getting it, (short of a vaccine or cure) Now I think the time has come to shift our focus to treating/curing people who have it.  That is pretty much all I have to say about Pinktober.  I'll do my best to not rant any more during this month.  However, I do reserve the right to make commentary on anything that is news worthy about pinkober as it is happening.  Lol.  Thanks for stopping by,
Leslie
 

Trodelvy trial failed.