Three out of four people are not aware that dense breast tissue
increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, 1, 2
according to a new
global study from GE Healthcare exploring perspectives on breast
cancer with an emphasis on understanding awareness around dense breast
tissue and the most common symptoms of breast cancer. The “Value of
Knowing” global survey of 10,000 adults across 10 countries, highlighted
a significant lack of awareness about the breast cancer risk associated
with having dense breast tissue. Women with dense breast tissue have
four to five times higher risk of developing breast cancer, yet only one
out of five people globally has seen, heard or read about dense breast
tissue in the last six months. Further, less than half of adults are
confident in naming some of the most common signs and symptoms of breast
cancer.
“If a woman learns that she has dense breasts, it is important for her
to talk with her healthcare provider about her risk and options for
further imaging or management,” said Susan Brown, managing director of
Health and Science Education for Susan G. Komen®, the world’s largest
breast cancer organization. “Actions like the pending national
legislation in the United States that requires doctors to inform their
patients if they have dense breasts – and the related risks – will
assist in the process of continuing to educate and empower women about
their breast health.”
Dense Breast Tissue: An Important Risk Factor for Breast Cancer and
Not as Widely Understood
Breast tissue is comprised of fat and connective tissue. Some women have
more fat than connective tissue, while others have more connective
tissue than fat. Dense
breast tissue, which is common and found in 40% of women, is
comprised of less fat and more connective tissue.
“The results of this research highlight an opportunity to further
encourage awareness of dense breast tissue and empower women to take an
active role in their breast health,” said Dr. Jessie Jacob, Chief
Medical Officer of Breast Health, GE Healthcare. “Although the
importance of breast cancer screening is well-known, this survey
suggests that dense breast tissue, a relevant risk factor, is not widely
understood.”
US, UK, and Japan Among Least Aware of Dense Breast Risk Factor:
China and Russia More Aware
Interestingly, those respondents in the United States, United Kingdom,
Australia and Japan were least aware of any links between dense breast
tissue and increased breast cancer risk (19%, 9%, 13%, and 2%,
respectively). Respondents in Indonesia, Russia and China were much more
aware of a link between breast cancer and dense breast tissue (58%, 60%
and 34%, respectively), and of those countries, Russia and China had the
highest awareness of dense breast tissue actually increasing one’s risk
for developing breast cancer. Additionally, the data in the GE
Healthcare study also showed respondents in China, Russia, and Indonesia
ranked the highest in having seen media coverage of dense breast tissue
in the past six months (37%, 32%, and 44%, respectively). Furthermore,
Japan, the US, UK and Australia cited very low levels of media attention
over the same time period about the risks of dense breast tissue.
Over 50% of Respondents Can’t Name the Six Common Symptoms of Breast
Cancer
The research also probed respondents’ recognition of common breast
cancer symptoms. While a majority recognized a lump in the breast (71%)
or a lump in the armpit (61%) as symptoms, less than half of those
surveyed were able to identify other very common symptoms, including
breast discharge; or changes to breast or nipple such as skin dimpling
and rash. “As we continue to make progress in general breast cancer
awareness, it is always critical to reinforce basic information about
the disease,” said Dr. Connie Lehman, Professor and Vice Chair and
Section Chief of Breast Imaging, University of Washington Dept. of
Radiology. “Understanding the symptoms of breast cancer is critical to
supporting early detection of the disease.”
Screening Better Understood in Disease Detection, but Not as Well
Understood in Identifying Dense Breast Tissue
More than half of those surveyed correctly understand that dense breast
tissue can be identified through a routine mammogram. That said, nearly
half also incorrectly believe that dense breast tissue can be identified
through regular self-exams for lumps and irregularities. “Of women who
are aware of dense breast tissue, there is still confusion regarding
supplemental screening,” said Dr. Jacob. “We believe that more education
is needed around dense breast tissue and other risk factors so that
women can have more informed discussions with their physicians about
their individual risk profile and the management of their health.”
“Since both dense breast tissue and cancers can appear white on a
mammogram, a cancer can be hidden by dense breast tissue,” said Dr.
Connie Lehman, Professor and Vice Chair and Section Chief of Breast
Imaging, University of Washington Dept. of Radiology. “We know modern
digital mammography performs better in women with dense breast tissue
compared to older methods of mammography. And, important research is
being done to determine if other technologies such as tomosynthesis,
ultrasound, or MRI may be beneficial to select groups of women.” GE
Healthcare’s global study is in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
(BCAM), an annual international health campaign organized by major
breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the
disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention,
diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and
support to those affected by breast cancer.
Editor’s Notes:
Breast Cancer Facts
By Dr. Connie Lehman, Professor and Vice Chair and Section Chief of
Breast Imaging, University of Washington Dept. of Radiology
1. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women across the
developed and developing world. The World Health Organization estimates
that more than half a million women died in 2011 due to breast cancer
with more than half of deaths occurring in resource poor countries.
2. Risk factors of breast cancer include genetic pre-disposition,
family history, age, race and ethnicity, personal history and prior
breast biopsies showing certain types of high-risk lesions. In addition,
dense breast tissue can increase the risk of breast cancer and increase
the risk of having a cancer missed by mammography.
3. The signs & symptoms range from the most well known, such
as pain, a palpable lump or thickened tissue or pain in one area. Less
well-known symptoms include discharge from the nipple; change in the
shape or size of the breast; change in appearance of the nipple;
dimpling of the skin of the breast and a rash on or around the nipple.
4. Preventative measures include knowing your risk factors; being
aware of how your breasts normally feel; being screened according to
your physician’s recommendations and taking overall care of your health
including diet and exercise. You can find out if you have dense breast
tissue through a mammogram and follow up discussions with a physician.
Your doctor can discuss the potential benefits and the risks of adding
supplemental screening, such as tomosynthesis, ultrasound or MRI, to
your standard mammography program.
5. Education about breast cancer screening recommendations
is critical. At this time, all major medical organizations agree that
women who are 50-74 should at a minimum have a screening mammogram at
least every two years. If you are age 50-74 and haven’t had a mammogram
in the last two years, get one! Many experts recommend annual
mammography starting at the age of 40 and continuing as long as you are
in good health. Talk to your doctor to determine what is best for you.
Research Methodology
The research was conducted by Millward Brown during May and June 2014
across 10 countries – Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,
Russia, South Korea, UK and USA – with 1,000 nationally-representative
adult respondents in each market. Survey participants were drawn from
one of the largest global online consumer panels in the world. Each
respondent was thoroughly pre-screened to ensure they met the specific
quality demands of the project. The performance of each respondent in
the actively managed panel was closely monitored to ensure effectiveness
and robustness. 1,000 adults age 18+ per country took part in this
nationally representative survey. The survey took the form of a
15-minute quantitative interview, administered online. Each survey
participant was invited to participate via a password-protected link and
was asked for externally validated demographic information in order to
proceed and in order to determine suitability. Various quality control
procedures were in place in order to reach a unique, genuine and
representative audience in each country.
About GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and
services to meet the demand for increased access, enhanced quality and
more affordable healthcare around the world. GE (NYSE: GE) works on
things that matter - great people and technologies taking on tough
challenges. From medical imaging, software & IT, patient monitoring and
diagnostics to drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing
technologies and performance improvement solutions, GE Healthcare helps
medical professionals deliver great healthcare to their patients.
Tackling Cancer
At GE, we envision a day when cancer is no longer a deadly disease. In
September 2011, GE Healthcare launched an ambitious global campaign
against cancer, committing $1 billion of its total R&D budget over the
next five years to expand its advanced cancer diagnostic and molecular
imaging capabilities, as well as its world-class technologies for the
manufacture of biopharmaceuticals and for cancer research. By the end of
2013, $526M had been invested, setting GE on track to meet its five-year
commitment. To accelerate progress, and to deliver better care to 10
million patients by 2020, the campaign against cancer combines the
strength of GE’s portfolio of cancer technologies with the innovations
born from collaborations with key partners. These commitments position
GE to drive game-changing impact in oncology and a leap forward for
individualized cancer care.
-END-
1 Boyd NF, Guo H, Martin LJ, et al. Mammographic density and
the risk and detection of breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 356(3):227-36,
2007. - See more at: http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/LowerYourRiskReferences.html#sthash.yIrZCStn.dpuf
2 Yaghjyan L, Colditz GA, Collins LC, et al. Mammographic
breast density and subsequent risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal
women according to tumor characteristics. J Natl Cancer Inst.
103(15):1179-89, 2011. - See more at: http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/LowerYourRiskReferences.html#sthash.yIrZCStn.dpuf
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