Breast Cancer Appeal
Our Breast Cancer Appeal is an important part of our annual fundraising, and donations from the community enabled us to fund projects like our most recent, which is developing anti-cancer agents based on immune system responses.
In New Zealand 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of incidence and the third highest death rate from breast cancer in the western world.
In New Zealand in 2005 among females, breast cancer was the most commonly registered cancer (2458 cases, nearly 28 percent of all female registrations), with an age-standardised rate of 92.0 cases per 100,000 females. (source: New Zealand Health Information Service 2005)
Breast cancer was also the leading cause of death among females (647 deaths, just over 17 percent of female cancer deaths), with an aged-standardised mortality rate of 21.7 percent per 100,000 females.
What are the causes of breast cancer?
It is not possible to say what exactly causes breast cancer. However, research has shown that some factors might increase a woman's risk or chance of developing breast cancer.
Some known risk factors for developing breast cancer include:
- Getting older.
- Having a family history of breast cancer
- Having previously been diagnosed with breast cancer or DCIS.
Other risk factors that seem to slightly increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer include:
- Starting menstruation, or 'periods', at a relatively early age (before 12 years); and starting menopause, or 'change of life', at a relatively late age (after 55 years).
- Not breast feeding - the more months spent breast feeding, the lower risk of developing breast cancer.
- Not having children, or having a first child after 35 years of age.
- Taking combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) after menopause, especially when taken for 5 years or longer.
- Putting on a lot of weight in adulthood, especially after menopause.
- Drinking alcohol (more than 2 standard drinks a day).
- Taking the oral contraceptive pill - this appears to only increase the risk during the period of taking the pill; the risk goes back down after you stop taking it.
- Having previously been diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia (AH).
It is important to be aware of regular and thorough methods of early detection. People whose cancer is diagnosed when the cancer is contained in the breast have a much higher five year survival rate compared to those where the cancer has already spread at diagnosis.
Detection methods include:
Regular self examination - Click Here for more details ››
Medical examination - Click Here for more details ››
Screening Mammography - Click Here for more details ››
What is a Mastectomy?
A mastectomy involves the complete removal of a breast affected by cancer through surgery. A different type of surgery may be conducted if breast reconstruction is part of the consideration following surgery. After the mastectomy the surgeon may also remove one or more lymph nodes from the armpit, to test whether the breast cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.
What is breast conserving surgery?
Breast conserving surgery involves the removal of a breast cancer and a small area of healthy tissue around it. This procedure is also commonly known as a lumpectomy, wide local excision or complete local excision. Breast conserving surgery with radiation therapy is used with great effectiveness for most women diagnosed with early breast cancer.
What are complementary therapies?
Complementary therapies are those used alongside medical treatments such as after Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy. A number have shown to be beneficial and improve the quality of life and reduce pain. Unfortunately, each person may react differently to the diverse types available. They have not been proven to cure or prevent cancer and some types may even have adverse side effects or negate medical treatments. It is important to consult with your medical staff before making a decision to use complementary therapies.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the term used for any treatment involving the use of chemical anti-cancer drugs to stop cancer cells from growing. In most treatments a number of drugs may be given at the same time. Chemotherapy can eliminate cancer cells at sites great distances from the original cancer.
Chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery or radiation therapy or together with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy can be administered through a vein, injected into a body cavity, or orally (mouth) in the form of a pill. Chemotherapy can be given for a few days or a few weeks, for a period of months or a long term basis depending on the nature of diagnosis and the person's ability to respond to treatment.
In most circumstances chemotherapy should not cause any discomfort, however some medications can cause a burning sensation in the veins. It is important to keep in immediate contact with the chemotherapy staff if there is any pain, burning, redness or tenderness in the body or over the injection site.
Chemotherapy is given to cure cancer, reduce the chance of cancer returning or to shrink a cancer prior to primary treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy. If a cure is not possible, it can also be used to shrink cancer to reduce the symptoms and ultimately prolong the quality of life.
Chemotherapy can cause a number of different side effects which are often temporary and can usually be treated by other medications. These include; fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, diarrhoea, constipation, mouth sores or ulcers, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, increased risk of infection, increased risk of bruising, dry or tired eyes, skin sensitivity to sunlight.
Chemotherapy may include time away from family and friends, uncomfortable side effects or long-term complications. Chemotherapy may be inconvenient, prolonged, or unavailable close to home. These are important considerations when evaluating treatment options.
What is Radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy, also commonly known as radiotherapy, uses x-rays to destroy or injure cancer cells so they cannot multiply. Radiation therapy can be used to treat the primary cancer or advanced cancer. It may be the only treatment used or in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery.
Radiation therapy is used to cure, maintain the cancer or bring relief of the symptoms.
Radiation therapy is given by a radiation oncologist who is a specialist treating cancer with radiation therapy. The oncologist will supervise the treatment via radiation therapy machines operated by a trained therapist.
Radiation therapy is given internally (bracytherapy) or externally (beam). In internal radiation therapy, thin tubes are filled with radioactive material and placed in your body or close to the cancer. In external radiation therapy, radiation is directed by a machine towards the cancer and surrounding tissue.
External radiation therapy can last anywhere from one day to five days a week for a number of weeks. In most circumstances external radiation therapy will not hurt, you will only here a buzzing sound when the machine is on. You will not become radioactive.
Internal radiation therapy can last anywhere from a number of minutes, one to five days or permanently. In most circumstances internal radiation therapy you will not feel ill or have any major pain, just mild discomfort from the implant. It may send radiation outside your body and there will be limits to visits during this therapy.
Radiation therapy can cause a number of different side effects which are often temporary and can gradually disappear once treatment has been completed. These include; fatigue, nausea, dry red or itchy skin, digestive problems, dry or sore throat or mouth, swelling, coughing or shortness of breath.
Radiation therapy may include time away from family and friends, uncomfortable side effects or long-term complications. Radiation therapy may be inconvenient, prolonged, or unavailable close to home. These are important considerations when evaluating treatment options.
