Breast and Cervical Cancer

Early Detection Saves Lives – Get regular breast and cervical cancer screenings!

Breast Cancer in Missouri
Excluding all cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Missouri and accounts for nearly one-third of all cancers diagnosed in women. According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, an average of 3,951 cases of breast cancer per year were diagnosed among Missouri women between 1996 and 2000. The American Cancer Society estimate of new breast cancer cases for Missouri women in 2008 are 3,810. The American Cancer Society 2008 estimate of breast cancer deaths for Missouri women is 890.  Missouri is ranked 14th in the nation for breast cancer diagnosis and breast cancer deaths.

Breast cancers can be treated successfully if detected early. The steps to good breast health for women as recommended by the American Cancer Society are:

• At age 20: learn and do breast self-exams monthly.
• At age 20-39: have clinical breast exams every three years, along with monthly breast-self exams.
• At age 40: have clinical breast exams every year, along with monthly breast self-exams.
• At age 40 and above: start having annual mammograms, and continue with the annual clinical breast exams and monthly breast self-exams.

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Nationally, 95 percent of new breast cancer cases and 97 percent of breast cancer deaths occurred in women aged 40 and older. At this time, there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer for women who are at average risk, which is why screening via mammography and clinical breast examination is so important. Mammography can detect breast cancer about two years earlier and at a smaller, more treatable size, often before physical symptoms develop. However, many women have found a lump during a monthly breast self-exam, which leads them to their health care provider for further testing. All three steps to good breast health: monthly breast self-exams, clinical breast exams and mammography, have an important place in early detection of breast cancer.

Cervical Cancer in Missouri
Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates have decreased markedly in the past several decades, with most of the reduction attributed to the introduction of the Pap test. Screening by means of the Pap tests offers a powerful method for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. The use of the Pap test on a regular basis reduces the risk of death from cervical cancer by 90 percent, mainly through the detection and treatment of pre-invasive lesions.

According to the American Cancer Society the following recommendations for use of the Pap test is important for women’s good health:

• Cervical cancer screening by use of Pap test should begin within 3 years after first intercourse but no later than age 21.
• Pap tests should be done every year or every 2 years if using liquid-based Pap tests method.
• Beginning at age 30, women who have had 3 normal tests in a row may get screened every 2-3 years, with her doctor’s approval.
• If a woman has had a total hysterectomy due to treatment of cervical cancer or a precancerous condition, she should continue with regular pelvic exams and cervical cancer screenings.
• If a woman has had a hysterectomy and the cervix remains, she should continue with regular cervical cancer screenings.

Pap test utilization in Missouri differs by many demographic factors including education, income, race, and having health insurance. Also, geographic differences are seen in incidence of cervical cancer throughout Missouri.

According to the 1996-2000 SEER program the incidence rate of cervical cancer in African-American women in Missouri (15.7 per 100,000) is nearly double the rate for white women (9.8 per 100,000). Death rates from the same SEER program report among African-American women (5.7 per 100,000) are more than two times higher than among white women (2.5 per 100,000).

References

• National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program: Ries LAG, Eisner MP, Kosary CL, et al (eds). SEER Cancer Statistic Review, 1975-2000. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, 2003. Available at: http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2000. Accessed September 28, 2004.
• American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2004. Atlanta, GA, 2004.
• Missouri Cancer Consortium and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The Burden of Cancer in Missouri: Cancer Facts About Missouri Right Now – 2004.
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Community and Public Health, Bureau of Cancer and Chronic Disease Control, Comprehensive Cancer Control program. Jefferson City, MO. 2004.

Updated: June 2008