MayoClinic.com Highlights Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Monday, October 18, 2004

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Pink ribbons are everywhere, reminding us that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But how aware are you? Did you know that this year, 216,000 American women will learn they have breast cancer?

Consider this: about 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known risk factors. In fact, gender and age are the two greatest risk factors for breast cancer. In her lifetime, one out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The risk of developing invasive breast cancer will increase as you age.

Whether you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, know someone who has, or wonder if you could be at high risk for the disease, MayoClinic.com has information you need. Log on to MayoClinic.com and enter "Breast Cancer" in the search box, or go directly to http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=51B7A71B-A1BC-4A52-A61C08043F088F8A

"It is critically important for women to be informed about their health and health risks," says Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., director of Mayo Clinic's Breast Diagnostic Clinic. "MayoClinic.com offers comprehensive information and management options for readers who are seeking information on breast cancer risk reduction."

Easy-to-understand articles and tools explain what breast cancer is, how it can be detected early and what treatment options are available for patients. This comprehensive site includes information on:

*Reducing your breast cancer risk by managing diet, exercise, making other lifestyle changes and through drug therapy choices. Women at highest risk can learn more about preventive mastectomy and oophorectomy and genetic testing.

*The types and stages of breast cancer, complete with diagrams and a slide show on how cancer spreads.

*When and how screening tests such as mammography, breast self-examination and clinical breast exam are conducted.

*Coping skills to deal with a breast cancer diagnosis, including how to address issues of intimacy, maintain a support network and take an active role in health care choices.

*Health decision guides are also provided to help early-stage breast cancer patients and adjuvant therapy candidates make informed, personal treatment choices. In addition to outlining the pros and cons of each treatment option, these guides contain video clips of interviews with Mayo Clinic oncologists, inspiring personal stories of breast cancer survivors and prognosis calculators.

The mission of MayoClinic.com is to empower people to manage their health by providing useful and up-to-date information and tools that reflect the expertise of the more than 2,000 physicians and scientists at Mayo Clinic. The site is owned by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your health stories. For more information about research at Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayo.edu/research.

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To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. MayoClinic.com is available as a resource for your health stories.