Breast cancer fails to scare some women

Breast cancer is the No. 1 diagnosed cancer in women, but few young female students say they worry about how the disease could affect them.

In 1998, more than 180,000 American women will learn that they have breast cancer, and more than 40,000 women will die from it. But early detection and prompt treatment can significantly reduce their suffering and chance of death.

For this reason, the Board of Sponsors of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month come together every October to publicize the importance of early detection to women nationwide.

Even with these startling statistics, younger women do not consider themselves to be at high risk of breast cancer.

LSA first-year student Jennifer Kaylin said she does not worry about the dangers of breast cancer.

"I never really think about breast cancer. No one in my family had it, so I never consider myself at risk," Kaylin said.

But according to NBCAM, 80 percent of diagnosed patients have no family history of breast cancer, and 70 percent of the patients have no identifiable breast cancer risk factors.

"Early detection is the key. More than 90 percent of women whose breast cancer is found and treated early will survive," said Amy Boyk, executive director of the Washtenaw County office of The American Cancer Society.

The ACS also recommends all women more than 20 years old should perform a breast self-examination every month.

Ronald Mulder, a gynecologist at University Health Services, estimated 20 to 25 women come into UHS each month concerned because they found an abnormality in their breasts.

"Every woman who comes into UHS for a gynecological purposes receives information about the importance of doing a breast self-exam," Mulder said.

"We want to reinforce self-teaching models so women can feel what an abnormality would feel like," she added.

But the risk of a young woman developing breast cancer is very low, according to the ACS.

"Only one in 100,000 women will develop breast cancer between the ages of 20 and 24, but by informing young women about the risks and benefits of early detection of breast cancer, women will be more likely to get regular clinical breast exams when they reach age 20, and annual mammograms by age 50," Boyk said.

UHS has no formal programs to support breast cancer awareness because the risk to young women is so slight.

"UHS still emphasizes that it is very important for all women to know how to do a breast self-exam and be able to talk about the risks with a doctor," said Janet Zielasko, the assistant director at UHS.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Boyk said, should be used to tell all mothers, sisters and friends about the importance of breast self-exams and mammograms.

"Twenty-five percent of women who get mammograms do so because a close friend suggested it," Boyk said.

09-30-98