As part of our mission to care for the health and wellness of our island community, the Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation will begin a new drive to educate our local community about one of the greatest health threats of our lifetime - breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, one out of every eight American women will develop breast cancer - a woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer has tripled over the last fifty years - and for every one hundred thousand women in Hawaii, over eight hundred will contract the disease, resulting in over one hundred deaths. And Hawaiian women, along with Caucasians and African-Americans, have the highest incidence of this disease. For unknown reasons, there's a rise of cases among men as well. Yet in the words of Cathy Nobriga Kim, "fear is worse than the disease itself." Cathy is one of the millions of women whose breast cancer was detected by a mammogram. Like 95% of the women treated at that early stage, she is a breast cancer survivor. October is designated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we will focus on the importance of early detection through regular breast screening procedures, including annual mammograms and clinical breast exams. Cathy's Roselani Ice Cream Company will also feature their popular flavor, Aloha Cherry Truffle, as part of an "A.C.T. Sweet Now!" fundraising drive to beat breast cancer, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Foundation for the purpose of breast education and awareness. Until a cure arrives, we will fight breast cancer and reduce its growing threat by enlightening and educating our community - because we believe ... life is precious. Roselani Ice Cream maker and breast cancer survivor Cathy Nobriga Kim teamed up with Maui's favorite restaurants and food establishments to help promote breast cancer education and awareness. Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation and Roselani Ice Cream extend our warmest mahalo to the following community-minded businesses who participated in the "A.C.T. Sweet Now to Beat Breast Cancer!" promotion in October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Thanks to your support of this campaign, we all helped spread the word that early detection and screening saves lives! Mahalo to... A.K.'s Cafe AnthonyÕs Coffee Store Castaway Cafe Da Kitchen Hula Cookies & Ice Cream Kā'anapali Beach Hotel Makawao Steak House Maui Beach Hotel Maui Community College Culinary Arts Maui Memorial Medical Center Maui Ocean Grill Nāpili Kai Beach Resort Nikki's Pizza Pacific Radio Group Sae Design Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar SeaWatch Restaurant The Maui News 'Ulupalakua Ranch Store When Cathy's A.C.T. flavor hits store shelves for the first time in December 2007, Roselani will also donate a portion of the proceeds to benefit this worthy cause. Get a screening or mammogram today...because life is precious. "We had a lot of fun coming up with the two Roselani ice cream pies for the A.C.T. Sweet Now to Beat Breast Cancer campaign," says Chef Elaine Rothermel, owner of A.K.'s Cafe in Wailuku. Mint Chip/Aloha Cherry Truffle Ice Cream Pie and Double Double Fudge/Aloha Cherry Truffle Ice Cream Pie are made fresh daily by the restaurant's skilled dessert maker, Jonna Ahn. "They're delicious, we're selling the heck out of them and, best of all, it's for a great cause," adds Chef Elaine. Pictured (l to r): Jonna & Elaine. On October 19, 2007, KPOA's (93.5 FM) "Morning Goddess" Alaka'i Paleka, talked story live, on-air with Cathy Nobriga Kim and Lani Correa. "We want to thank Alaka'i and Pacific Radio Group for their support of our A.C.T. Sweet Now campaign which continues to spread a lifesaving message - that early detection and mammograms are the key to fighting breast cancer," said Lani. "Because life is precious." What is breast cancer? Breast Cancer Facts What are breast cancer risk factors? What are warning signs of breast cancer? What is an early detection plan? Prevention of Breast Cancer Screening Tests Treatments National Cancer Institute 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) www.cancer.gov Breast Cancer Research and Assistance Fund www.breastcancer-research.org www.breastcancer.org National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. www.nationalbreastcancer.org Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. Briefly, breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. They can then invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Larger masses of out of control tissue are called tumors. Some tumors are benign and cannot spread or threaten someone's life. However, there are tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade other nearby tissue, those are considered cancerous and are called malignant tumors. Cancer most commonly occurs in tissue from either the ducts or the glands in the breast. It may take months or even years for a tumor to get large enough to feel in the breast, so screening is usually done with mammograms, which can sometimes see the disease before we can feel it or see the symptoms. In Hawaii: Approximately 800 cases of female invasive breast cancer are diagnosed each year. Another 200 deaths are caused by the disease. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Hawaii, regardless of race/ethnicity. Among females, it accounts for more than one-third of all cancer cases, but just over 15 percent of the cancer deaths. Most female breast cancer incidence (more than 60 percent) occurs in women age 55 and older. On average, only one man dies from breast cancer each year. Hawaiian females compared to other major racial/ethnic groups in the state, have the highest breast cancer incidence and mortality rates. The death rate for Hawaiian females is almost 1.2 times that of Caucasian females and more than twice the mortality rate for Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino females in Hawaii. Worldwide: Breast cancer attacks more women worldwide today than any other type of cancer, excluding cancers of the skin. Breast cancer accounts for one of every three cancer diagnosis in women throughout the world. One in every eight women in the United States, or about 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. The lifetime risk of breast cancer has tripled in the United States over the past 50 years. Breast cancer occurs in men and is increasing at an alarming rate. The causes for breast cancer in men are unknown. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women aged 35-44. Research shows that delayed diagnosis and more aggressive tumors result in higher mortality rates in young women. Incidence and death rate of breast cancer increases with age and every woman is at risk. Women in the U.S. aged 50 years and older accounted for 70% of all new breast cancer cases and 84% of breast cancer deaths from 1994-1998. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in every ethnic group in the United States. Native American women have overall lower cancer survival rates than the Anglo population. African-American women have the highest death rate from breast cancer. Among Latinos, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death. Women immigrants to the United States from Asia experience an 80% increase in their breast cancer risk in one generation. One generation later, the rate for their daughters approaches that of women born in the United States. Over 80% of breast lumps are not cancerous, but benign such as fibrocystic breast disease. When cancer has been confined to the breast area, more than 95% of women who find and treat breast cancer early will be cancer-free after five years. The risk of breast cancer is higher in women who have a personal or family history of breast cancer, biopsy-confirmed atypical hyperplasia, increased breast density, a long menstrual history, obesity after menopause, recent use of oral contraceptives or post-menopausal estrogen and progestin, who have never had children or had their first child after age 30, or who consume alcoholic beverages. Simply getting older and being a woman places you at risk. Some 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women over 50. Incidence rates appear to correlate with variations in diet, especially fat intake, while vigorous physical activity and maintenance of a healthy body weight are associated with lower risk. All women are at risk for breast cancer, regardless of hereditary factors. But, it is estimated that 85 to 90 percent of breast cancer incidences cannot be explained by hereditary factors. When all known risk factors and characteristics are added together including genetics and family history, as much as 50 % of breast cancer causes remain unexplained. It is important to remember that all risk factors are based on probabilities, and even someone without any risk factors can still get breast cancer. Proper screening and early detection remains the best weapons against mortality associated with this disease. Due to the increased use of mammography, most women are diagnosed at very early stages of breast cancer before symptoms appear. However, not every breast cancer is detected through mammography. The most common symptoms of breast cancer are a change in the look or feel of the breast, a change in the look or feel of the nipple and nipple discharge. These are described below: A change in the look or feel of the breast. A lump or thickening in the breast, the area surrounding the breast or the underarm. A warm sensation in the breast. A change in the look or feel of the nipple. A nipple turned inward or sunken into the breast. The shape of the nipple becomes irregular. A rash on the nipple or areola. Nipple tenderness, increased sensitivity or pain. Nipple discharge. Blood or fluid other than breast milk secreted from the nipple. A change in the look or feel of the skin on the breast, nipple or areola. Dimpling of the skin on the breast (appears like the skin on an orange). The appearance of irritated, red, scaly, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola. Breast pain. Although breast pain is usually associated with benign breast disease rather than breast cancer, it can be a symptom of either condition. Remember, if you experience these symptoms it doesn't necessarily mean that you have breast cancer, but you need to be examined by a doctor as soon as possible. Adapted from National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An early breast cancer detection plan should include the following: Clinical breast examination every three years from ages 20-39, then every year thereafter. Monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 20. Look for any changes in your breasts. Baseline mammogram by the age of 40. Mammogram screening every one to two years for women 40-49, depending on previous findings. Mammogram every year for women 50 and older. A personal calendar to record your self-examinations, mammograms, and doctor appointments. A low-fat diet, regular exercise, and no smoking or drinking. Consult your doctor if you detect breast lumps. In women under 40, breast lumps are usually benign. If you have a lump or change in your breast, your doctor may tell you that a biopsy must be done. A biopsy is a minor surgical procedure to take out all or part of a breast lump. It is the only way to know for sure if a breast change is benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). If a breast lump is detected during physical examination, a small needle may be inserted into the lump to determine if it is solid or cystic. If it is solid, usually removal under local anesthesia on an out-patient basis is all that is necessary. Removal is recommended because the mass will not disappear but will grow slowly. Removing the lump confirms that it is benign and provides the patient with peace of mind. If a greenish-bluish fluid is revealed through aspiration with a needle, the cyst is most likely benign. If it turns out to be cystic and completely disappears, careful follow-up, often including a mammogram especially if the patient is over 40, is all that is indicated. Breast lumps in women over 50 are always considered potentially malignant until proven otherwise. Remember, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are not cancers. For most women, some risk factors can be controlled or modified to potentially influence the development of breast cancer. Many medical professionals recommend that when possible, a woman should avoid long-term hormone replacement therapy, have children before age 30, breastfeed, avoid weight gain through exercise and proper diet, decrease your daily fat intake (especially saturated or hydrogenerated fats), add more fiber to your diet, stay active, donÕt smoke, and limit alcohol consumption to one drink a day or less. The most important thing any woman can do to reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer is to have regular mammogram screening, learn how to perform breast self-exams, and have a regular physical examination by their physician. The earlier that breast cancer is detected, the more likely it is that treatment can be curable. Mammograms can detect cancer up to two years before a lump can be felt. Screening mammograms are simply x-rays of each breast from the top and the side. The amount of radiation from a mammogram is very small. Regular screening mammograms can decrease the mortality of breast cancer by 30%. The majority of breast cancers are associated with abnormal mammographic findings. Regrettably, about two-thirds of women do not follow recommended guidelines for mammography. Every woman between the ages of 20-39 should have a clinical breast exam every three years. After age 40 every woman should have a clinical breast exam done each year. A clinical breast exam is an exam done by a health professional to feel for lumps and look for changes in the size or shape of your breasts. During the clinical breast exam, you can learn how to do a breast self-exam. It is recommended that every woman should do a self-breast exam once a month, preferably about a week after her period ends. If you detect any changes in your breasts, you need to contact your doctor. About 15% of tumors are felt but cannot be seen by regular mammographic screening. When breast cancer is detected at an early stage of development, a number of effective treatment options are available. The basic treatment choices for breast cancer are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Local treatments such as breast surgery and radiation therapy focus on the breast itself to remove or destroy the cancer cells confined to the breast. Systemic treatments, such as chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, aim to destroy the cancer cells that may have spread throughout the body. Many women with breast cancer sometimes choose to explore complementary therapies and alternative medicines in addition to their medical treatment. These therapies are associated with a "holistic approach" to treatment, which indicates that it treats the person as a whole - body, mind and spirit - focusing on the specific site of the disease. These therapies are often not proven by scientific studies, but some women feel that they have benefited from involvement in these therapies. Breast, Prostate and Skin Cancer Screenings, Saturday Oct. 20, from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at MMMC located in the Wailuku Tower - Rear Entrance. For more informatoin, please call Janelle Todd at 808-242-2401 or Click Here (pdf). A big mahalo to the following sponsors for their support of the Foundation's breast education program: visit The Maui News visit Roselani Ice Cream visit Pacific Radio Group