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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Learn more about what you can do to increase your awareness, breast cancer screening tools and screening for high risk women that appeared on  both Channel 5's website and on WBZ radio/TV's website.

Breast Cancer Quiz

Take this quiz and find out what you know about breast cancer! The answers to the quiz and other useful links about The Breast Cancer and BreastCare Program are found at the end of the quiz.

 1. The incidence of breast cancer among women is:
            a. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime 
            b. 1 in 3 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime 
            c. 1 in 20 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime

2.  Mammographic Screening for breast cancer should begin in all women at the age of 
            a. 30 
            b. 50 
            c. 40

3. Genetic Mutations are thought to be present in which percent of breast cancers 
            a. 50% 
            b. 95% 
            c. 5-10%

4. The prevalence of certain genetic mutations such as BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are more common in which population: 
            a. Ashkenazi Jewish 
            b. African American 
            c. Hispanic

5. Which of the following, aside from being a woman, is the greatest risk factor for breast cancer? 
           a. Increasing age 
           b. Family History 
           c. Alcohol Consumption

6. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women 
            a. True 
            b. False

7. Women with breast implants are at increased risk for breast cancer due to inability to have mammograms performed 
            a. True 
            b. False

8. Breast MRI is a new tool that replaces mammograms 
            a. True 
            b. False

9. If a woman feels a lump but has recently had a negative screening mammogram she should ignore the lump as the mammogram was negative. 
            a. True 
            b. False

10. If a woman has breast cancer and needs a mastectomy and wants reconstruction she has to pay for the reconstruction out of pocket. 
            a. True 
            b. False

Answers to the quiz

1. a. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most common female cancer worldwide. Nearly 1.4 million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed worldwide annually.   Learn more.

2. c . Annually screening mammogram is recommended for women every year starting at the age of 40. Clinical breast exam should be performed at least every 3 years starting at age 20. Mammography continues to be the best screening tool available for the detection of breast cancer. Learn more

3. c.  Although genetic mutations have been discussed a lot recently in the mainstream media they are only found in 5-10% of all women with a breast cancer diagnosis. Learn more 

4. a. BRCA 1 and BRCA2 mutations are more prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. They are thought to be found in 1 out of every 40 people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.  Learn more 

5. a. For the majority of women with breast cancer their main risk factor for breast cancer is growing older every year. While family history, hormonal issues, lifestyle, and environment all play a role, all women even without family history, are at risk for breast cancer just by virtue of aging. 80% of all the breast cancers diagnosed are over the age of 50.  Learn more

6. b. False, Heart disease is still the number one killer among American women followed by lung cancer. The 5 year overall survival for localized breast cancer is 96%.  Learn more 

7. b. False, no studies have shown that women who have implants are at increase risk for breast cancer. Traditional imaging is performed with displaced views of the implant.  Learn more 

8. b. False, MRI is a useful imaging tool in certain populations but should not replace annually screening mammograms at this point. It is presently recommended as an additional screening tool in high risk women such as BRCA mutation carriers and women with strong family histories. Learn more 

9. b. False, mammograms do not detect all breast cancers. Some cancers are seen only with additional imaging studies such as MRI and US. Some are only felt on exam. All palpable masses should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Learn More

10. b. False, Under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 group health plans, insurance companies, and HMOS's offering mastectomy coverage must also provide coverage for reconstruction to the affected breast and opposite breast if desired. Learn more