Breast Cancer Awareness Quiz

Although all women are at risk, a woman's risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. About 82 percent of women with breast cancer are over the age of 50 at the time of diagnosis. Women younger than 30 years account for only 0.3 percent of breast cancer cases. Women in their thirties account for about 3.5 percent of cases.

For the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer, their main risk factors are being a woman growing older, which is why the American Cancer Society and others recommend that all women over age 40 follow current guidelines for regular mammograms. The American Cancer Society offers more information about unusual risk factors such as family history, alcohol consumption and more at www.cancer.org.

Rumors have spread rapidly by e-mail, but no studies have shown that antiperspirants, underwire bras, cell phones or breast implants can increase the risk of, much less cause, breast cancer. The biggest factors for breast cancer are being a women and growing older.

White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African American women. But African American women are more likely to die of this cancer, partly because they are often diagnosed at an advanced stage when breast cancer is harder to treat and cure. Asian, Hispanic and American Indian women are at lower risk, although the disease is increasing among Japanese-American women, especially those who've been in the U.S. for many years. All women need regular screening.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women schedule an annual mammogram beginning at age 40, along with a yearly clinical breast exam performed by a doctor or nurse. ACS guidelines also call for women to continue the monthly breast self-exams they began at age 20. Women with family history of breast cancer should discuss mammogram guidelines as soon as possible with their own health care providers.

Heart disease is still the number one killer of American women, followed by lung cancer. Early detection and better treatments have improved a woman's chance of surviving breast cancer. The 5-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer has increased from 72 percent in the 1940s to over 96 percent today.

Foods that contain preservatives DO NOT appear to affect the risk for breast cancer, but the other four items do. The best way a woman can protect herself is to exercise regularly, minimize alcohol use, maintain a healthy weight, and get regular screening exams. Women should talk to their doctors about the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy.