When Kathy James felt a pea-size lump in her breast at the age of 54, cancer was the furthest thing from her mind. She exercised daily, ate right and had no family history of cancer, so she listened in disbelief as doctors diagnosed her with an aggressive form of breast cancer that had spread throughout her body.
One in eight American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common form of cancer among U.S. females after skin cancer. Each year more than 40,000 women die from the disease, but according to the American Cancer Society, death rates from female breast cancer dropped 39 percent between 1989 and 2015. The decrease is believed to be a result of finding breast cancer early on thanks to screening, increased awareness and better treatment options.
Screening tests, such as mammograms, can help find breast cancer in its early stages before symptoms appear, giving patients the best chance of a successful treatment.
However, mammograms don’t find every breast cancer, which is why it is important for women, and men, to be aware of changes in their breasts and to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump or mass. Other possible symptoms include:
- Thickening in the breast or underarm area
- An inexplicable change in the size or shape of a breast
- Unexplained swelling or shrinkage of one or both breasts
- A recent onset of breast asymmetry
- Dimpling on the breast surface
- An inverted nipple
- Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
- Nipple tenderness
- Redness, warmth and a change in breast skin texture (a thick, pitted appearance similar to that of an orange peel)
- Breast pain
While there is no way to prevent breast cancer, there are things you can do to reduce the risk such as limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
James wants to be a part of the solution. After undergoing chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, she opted to take part in a clinical trial for a breast cancer vaccine at Moffitt Cancer Center.
The trial James is participating in is considered a “quasi vaccine,” which means it restores an immune response instead of preventing the disease from occurring. In patients like James who have HER2+ breast cancer, the disease is already beginning and people lose their immune response against breast cancer. The vaccine boosts the immune response to prevent the disease from coming back.
James usually gets flu-like symptoms following the vaccine, but otherwise feels pretty good. She says, “I’m hopeful. I’m excited. I’m hoping to be part of the cure for this breast cancer.”
To learn more about breast cancer and/or make an appointment at Moffitt, visit Moffitt.org or call 1-888-663-3488.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 49 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt is a Top 10 cancer hospital and has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report since 1999. Moffitt devotes more than 2 million square feet to research and patient care. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 6,000 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.1 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
This article was sponsored by Moffitt Cancer Center.
