Introducing .....The Woman's Breast Health Portal

A Member of St. Andrew Development's WellnessSuite© Collection of Programs

The difference between life and death is too often determined by how well people understand and act on potentially life-saving medical information.

At St. Andrew Development we are helping the NIH's National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities achieve their goal of creating an America in which all populations will have an equal opportunity to live long, healthy and productive lives.

We, as do they, recognize that millions of minority women die prematurely from breast cancer that could have been prevented or treated had it been discovered early.

St. Andrew's newly released bilingual Woman's Breast Health Portal uses easy to understand information in Spanish and English from the American Cancer Society that creates an impact message to the user - you can control your breast health.

Current research shows that inter-activating messages  - adding sound, video and animations to messages  - can mitigate literacy deficiencies and transcend learning styles.

The Woman's Breast Health portal does just that. Leveraging St. Andrew's decade of experience developing and deploying interactive, self service health kiosks, the program gives users of all reading levels and ethnicities a fair shot at understanding and taking action on critical information related to their breast health and survival!

To see sample content and view the program taxonomy click HERE

For further information on how your organization can place a Woman's Breast Health Portal in your community contact St. Andrew Development today by calling us at 717-848-5818 or email us at Wellness@StAndrew.com

General Information available by contacting: webmaster@StAndrew.com

©St. Andrew Development, Inc. MMIII. All rights reserved.

Revision # 11.30.2004 20:48

No material may be copied from this site without the express written permission of St. Andrew Development, Inc.

Woman's Breast Health Portal Taxonomy and sample content

The taxonomy for the Woman's Breast Health Portal includes the following:

A)   Breast Cancer Statistics and Risks

i)       Incidence-How many women get breast cancer?

(1) Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women.

(2) Since 1980, the cases of breast cancer among women aged 50 and older are increasing.

ii)     Mortality-How many women die from breast cancer?

(1) About 40,000 women die each year from breast cancer.

(2) Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women.

(3) Death rates from breast cancer are going down because more women are going to the doctor and finding the cancer early.

iii)   Uncontrollable Risk Factors-What things are out of my control to keep from getting breast cancer?

(1) Just being a woman is a risk factor for getting breast cancer because women have more breast cells than men.

(2) As you get older your chances of getting breast cancer increase.  Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are 50 years old and older.

(3) If you have a close blood relative who has had breast cancer, your chances of getting breast cancer are greater.

(4) Hispanic women have a smaller chance of getting breast cancer than African-American women or White women.

iv)   Controllable Risk Factors-What can I do to lower my chances of getting breast cancer? 

(1) Using alcohol has been linked to breast cancer.  Women who drink less alcohol have a smaller chance of getting breast cancer.

(2) Studies show that women who have had children and breast fed their children have a lower chance of getting breast cancer.

(3) Women who are overweight are more likely to develop breast cancer so trying to maintain a healthy weight and a balanced diet will help to lower your chances of getting breast cancer.

(4) Studies show that physical activity can lower the chance of getting breast cancer.

 B)   Breast Cancer Myths-Statements that are NOT true about breast cancer.

i)       A mammogram can cause breast cancer.

(1) In all of the studies, there is NO evidence that you can get breast cancer from a mammogram.[1]

ii)     Breast cancer always kills.

(1) This is NOT true.  Eighty-three percent of women with breast cancer are still alive after five years.[2] 

iii)   Breast cancer is more common in women with big breasts.

(1) According to research, there is NO evidence to show that breast cancer is more common in women with big breasts.[3]

iv)   A lump in the breast is always breast cancer.

(1) Most breast lumps are NOT cancer.  Most lumps turn out to be fibrous (scar like tissue) or cysts (fluid filled sacs).  These lumps are not normal and should be treated by a doctor, but they are NOT cancer and cannot spread to other parts of your body.   

v)     Injuries such as bumping, bruising, squeezing, or biting can cause breast cancer.

(1) Injuries will NOT cause breast cancer.[4]

 C)   Breast Cancer Detection

i)       Breast Self Examination (BSE)

(a)  What is it? –BSE is an examination that can be done by you.  It is a process where the woman will feel her breasts to see if anything feels unusual or different.  If anything unusual is found, you should contact a doctor immediately. 

(b) How often should it be done? –Women should begin BSE at age 20 and should do it on a regular monthly basis.

(c)  What age should I start breast exams? –Women should start using BSE in their 20s.  Doing a BSE on a regular monthly schedule will help you to get to know how your breasts normally feel so if you do find something that does not feel right, you can go see a doctor immediately.

(d) Who can show me how to do it? –A health care professional or a doctor can show you the proper way to use BSE.

(e)  What should I do if something doesn’t feel right? –If something does not feel right or you have pain, swelling, or a discharge other than breast milk, go see a doctor or health care professional immediately.  Just remember that most of the time these problems are not cancer.

ii)     Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)

(a)  What is it? –A CBE is a breast examination done be a doctor, health care professional, nurse practitioner, nurse, or doctor’s assistant.  It should be done as part of a regular health exam about every 3 years for woman in their 20s and 30s.  During your examination, you undress from the waist up.  The doctor will first look at your breasts for changes in size or shape.  Then using the pads of the fingers, the doctor will gently feel your breasts.  Special attention will be given to the shape and texture of the breasts and the location of any lumps.  During the CBE is a good time for the doctor to teach you how to do a breast self examination (BSE).

(b) Where can I go to have it done? –A BSE can be done by a doctor or health care professional at a health clinic, doctor’s office or hospital.  Financial assistance for breast cancer testing for low-income women is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  To learn more about this program call 1-888-842-6355.

(c)  What are my personal rights

iii)   Mammogram

(a)  What is it? –A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast.  The x-ray is like a picture of the inside of your breast that your doctor will use to see if you have any problems with your breasts that need extra attention.  During your examination, you undress from the waist up and you will be given a wrap to wear.  A technologist will be with you to position your breasts for the mammogram.  Your breast will be pressed between two plates to flatten and spread the tissue.  It may be uncomfortable for a moment but it is necessary to get a good picture. 

(b) Where do I get a mammogram? –You can get a mammogram at most hospitals or health clinics.  It is best to talk to a doctor to find out the nearest location to get a mammogram.

(c)  How often should I get a mammogram? –The American Cancer Society recommends that women over 40 years old get a mammogram every year. 

(d) What does a mammogram look for? –After the mammogram has been taken, a doctor will look at the pictures to see if anything looks unusual.  The doctor will look for small white spots on the picture that may be tiny mineral deposits, a mass that may look like a lump, or a cyst that is a small fluid-filled sac in the breast.

(e)  How reliable is a mammogram at detecting breast cancer? –A mammogram cannot prove that something unusual in your breast is cancer.  It only helps the doctor find something unusual inside your breast.  If something unusual is found in your breast, the doctor will want to do more tests.

 D)   Diagnosis

i)       Explain Breast Cancer Diagnosis –How does the doctor decide if I have cancer?

(a)  Biopsy –A biopsy is a process where the doctor will take out a small piece of tissue from your breast.  The doctor will only do this if the mammogram finds something that is not normal.  A biopsy is the only way to tell if you have cancer.

(b) Needle Biopsy –A needle biopsy is a process where the doctor will use a small needle to take out a small piece of tissue from your breast.  Then the doctor will analyze the piece of tissue to determine if there is cancer.

(c)  Surgical Biopsy –Sometimes the doctor will need to take out a larger piece of tissue from your breast.  During a surgical biopsy, the doctor will numb your breast (you will be awake) and take out a piece of tissue from your breast.  Then the doctor will analyze the piece of tissue to determine if there is cancer.

 E)    Treatment Options

i)       Brief Overview of Treatment –There are several ways to treat breast cancer.

(1) The doctor can perform surgery on your breast and remove the part that is cancer.  The doctor will then treat the area where the cancer was removed by offering radiation therapy.  You can find out more about radiation therapy by speaking to a doctor or health care professional.

(2) The doctor can also treat breast cancer by offering chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy.  These therapies are given to you by mouth or directly into the bloodstream.  Again you can find out more about these therapies by speaking to a doctor or health care professional.

RETURN

Source: American Cancer Society, NCI, Susan G. Komen Foundation

For information on how your organization can participate in this exciting and effective program, contact St. Andrew at (717) 848-5818 or send email to: Wellness@StAndrew.com

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General Information available by contacting: webmaster@StAndrew.com

©St. Andrew Development, Inc. MMIII. All rights reserved.

Revision # 11.30.2004 20:48

No material may be copied from this site without the express written permission of St. Andrew Development, Inc.