St. Margaret Foundation
Dear Members of the St. Margaret Foundation Family,
A world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Roughly 40,000 women will die from breast cancer this year and 207,090 will be diagnosed. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we want to share information that may be helpful for you or a loved one from the American Cancer Society.
Below are Guidelines for Early Detection of Breast Cancer:
1. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
2. Clinical breast exams (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
3. Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exams (BSE) are an option for women starting in their 20s.
4. Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.
Life Style Choices:
Besides possibly reducing breast cancer risk, lifestyle improvements represent smart steps for a healthier life, since they can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and many other chronic, life-threatening conditions.
1. Decrease your daily fat intake - especially saturated or hydrogenated fats. Eat leaner meats and limit red meat. Reducing your fat intake helps prevent other health problems such as heart disease and stroke and may reduce your chance of developing breast and colon cancers.
2. Increase fiber in your diet. Fiber is found in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This type of diet is beneficial for your heart and can help prevent other cancers such as colon cancer.
3. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to their fiber content, fruits and vegetables have antioxidant properties and micronutrients that may help prevent some cancers.
4. Limit alcohol. Evidence suggests that a small increase in risk exists for women who average two or more drinks per day (beer, wine, and distilled liquor).
5. Stay active. The U.S. Surgeon General has recently reported that you can help prevent many health problems by engaging in a moderate amount of physical activity (such as taking a brisk, 30-minute walk) on most days of the week. Strive to maintain the body weight recommended by a health professional, since excess fat may stimulate estrogen production.
6. Don't smoke. Although smoking doesn't cause breast cancer, it can increase the chance of blood clots, heart disease, and other cancers that may spread to the breast.
If you need to locate a physician for yourself or a loved one, you may use this link to find a UPMC specialist within 5 miles of your home. http://findadoc.upmc.com/FindADocSearch.aspx
At St. Margaret Foundation we are committed to giving you information that will keep you and your family healthy. You make a difference in the lives of those we serve every day at the Hospital and in our Family Health Centers. We want you to know that we care about you too!
Please forward this email to someone you care about. Visit our website at www.stmargaretfoundation.org for news on our programs.
Please remember St. Margaret Foundation during this year’s United Way Campaign – Code #447.
Also, now you are able to donate your American Express Reward Points to St. Margaret Foundation by visiting the link below:
http://amex.justgive.org/nonprofits/donate.jsp?ein=25-1520340
Best wishes for continued good health and success,
Mary Lee Gannon
President
St. Margaret Foundation
100 Medical Arts Building, Suite #100
815 Freeport Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
412-784-4277
Fax 412-784-4062
gannonm@upmc.edu
www.stmargaretfoundation.org
Below are Guidelines for Early Detection of Breast Cancer:
1. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
2. Clinical breast exams (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
3. Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exams (BSE) are an option for women starting in their 20s.
4. Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.
Life Style Choices:
Besides possibly reducing breast cancer risk, lifestyle improvements represent smart steps for a healthier life, since they can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and many other chronic, life-threatening conditions.
1. Decrease your daily fat intake - especially saturated or hydrogenated fats. Eat leaner meats and limit red meat. Reducing your fat intake helps prevent other health problems such as heart disease and stroke and may reduce your chance of developing breast and colon cancers.
2. Increase fiber in your diet. Fiber is found in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This type of diet is beneficial for your heart and can help prevent other cancers such as colon cancer.
3. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to their fiber content, fruits and vegetables have antioxidant properties and micronutrients that may help prevent some cancers.
4. Limit alcohol. Evidence suggests that a small increase in risk exists for women who average two or more drinks per day (beer, wine, and distilled liquor).
5. Stay active. The U.S. Surgeon General has recently reported that you can help prevent many health problems by engaging in a moderate amount of physical activity (such as taking a brisk, 30-minute walk) on most days of the week. Strive to maintain the body weight recommended by a health professional, since excess fat may stimulate estrogen production.
6. Don't smoke. Although smoking doesn't cause breast cancer, it can increase the chance of blood clots, heart disease, and other cancers that may spread to the breast.
If you need to locate a physician for yourself or a loved one, you may use this link to find a UPMC specialist within 5 miles of your home. http://findadoc.upmc.com/FindADocSearch.aspx
At St. Margaret Foundation we are committed to giving you information that will keep you and your family healthy. You make a difference in the lives of those we serve every day at the Hospital and in our Family Health Centers. We want you to know that we care about you too!
Please forward this email to someone you care about. Visit our website at www.stmargaretfoundation.org for news on our programs.
Please remember St. Margaret Foundation during this year’s United Way Campaign – Code #447.
Also, now you are able to donate your American Express Reward Points to St. Margaret Foundation by visiting the link below:
http://amex.justgive.org/nonprofits/donate.jsp?ein=25-1520340
Best wishes for continued good health and success,
Mary Lee Gannon
President
St. Margaret Foundation
100 Medical Arts Building, Suite #100
815 Freeport Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
412-784-4277
Fax 412-784-4062
gannonm@upmc.edu
www.stmargaretfoundation.org