This page includes links to all the resources on breast cancer contained within this site. We encourage you to use this information to help MCC member and partner organizations promote breast cancer awareness and accomplish the MCC Breast Cancer Goal for 2009-2015.
"United States Preventive Services Task Force Screening Mammography Recommendations: Science Ignored"(American Journal of Radiology, February 2011; W112-116.) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21257850
This article examines the scientific evidence considered by the United
States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in recommending against
screening mammography in women 40-49 years old and against annual
screening mammography in women 50 and older. Using evidence made
available to the USPSTF to estimate the benefits and "harms" of screening mammography in women 40 years old and older, the authors conclude that women who receive annual mammograms starting at age 40 can significantly reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer by 71 percent. (In contrast, women who follow the USPSTF recommendations reduce their risk by 23.2 percent.)
Michigan Health Promotions Clearinghouse — www.hpclearinghouse.org
The Clearinghouse offers printed materials ranging from brochures to posters to educate residents about breast, cervical and colorectal cancers; all materials are available free of charge in limited quantities to Michigan residents. Sources for the materials include the Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Cancer Society, and the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation.
Michigan Mammography Facility Guide (American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, Inc.)
The guide is designed as a complete and unbiased source of information about mammography facilities in Michigan, using information provided voluntarily by each facility to compare services, prices, and other information to help women choose the mammography facility best suited for them.
It includes an alphabetical listing of facilities, as well as a county-by-county listing of facilities with details about the rates and services each offers. The publication also includes a separate "Definitions and Technical Notes" section to assist users with the various terms used throughout the guide.
Breast Cancer Treatment Booklet The Breast Cancer Informed Consent Law (Michigan Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended by Public Act 195 of 1986 and Public Act 15 of 1989) requires Michigan physicians responsible for administering treatment to breast cancer patients to inform them about alternative methods of cancer treatment, including surgical, radiological, or chemotherapeutic treatments, or any other generally accepted medical treatment. This explanation should include discussing advantages, disadvantages and risks associated with each method of treatment and documented in the patient's medical record. For information on ordering a booklet that meets the requirements of the law, please refer to the Michigan Department of Community Health Breast Cancer Treatment Booklet Order Form(available as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file).*
American Cancer Society (ACS) — Cancer Facts for Lesbians and Bisexual Women
The most common types of cancer among women are breast, lung, colon, uterine, and ovarian. Several studies suggest that lesbians and bisexual women get less routine care than other women, including breast and cervical cancer screening. The reasons for this include: low rates of health insurance; fear of discrimination; and past negative experience with health care providers. The ACS has created this brochure to help raise awareness. The brochure contains information about risk factors, as well as prevention and early detection recommendations for breast, gynecological, lung, skin, and colon cancers. To order copies of the booklet, contact your local ACS office or phone ACS toll-free at 800-ACS-2345.
Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. http://cancercontrolplanet.cancer.gov
The Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. Web portal is a collaborative effort aimed at providing access to data and resources that can help cancer control planners, health educators, program staff, and researchers design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based cancer control programs. Topic areas include: breast cancer; cervical cancer; colorectal cancer; diet and nutrition; informed decision making; physical activity; sun safety; survivorship; and tobacco control.The Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. Web portal is intended to help its audience achieve its shared goals of reducing cancer incidence and the number of deaths from cancer and enhancing quality of life for cancer survivors. Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. sponsors include: the National Cancer Institute; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the American Cancer Society; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; and the Commission on Cancer.
Cancer Survival Toolbox www.canceradvocacy.org/toolbox
The Cancer Survival Toolbox is a free, self-learning audio program that has been developed by leading cancer organizations to help people develop important skills to better meet and understand the challenges of their illness. While created primarily for people who have been recently diagnosed with cancer, the Toolbox can help anyone who is facing hard decisions and changes in life due to cancer. Family members and caregivers can also use the Toolbox on behalf of a child or anyone else affected by cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Breast Health Publications www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/publications.htm This link will take you directly to the CDC's resource materials for breast and cervical cancers. Using this link will save time for those people interested specifically in breast and cervical cancer resource materials.
CDC — Cancer Prevention and Control Publications www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/publications
This link will take you to the CDC Cancer Publications Center. Select an option from the list to access CDC's cancer-related publications. Options include publications available electronically, order forms for printed publications and other materials, ordering "last call" publications, viewing a listing of scientific publications, and searching the cancer section of the Chronic Disease Prevention Bibliographic Database.
CDC — Women with Disabilities and Breast Cancer www.cdc.gov/Features/BreastCancerDisabilities
Women with disabilities are less likely than other women to have been screened for breast cancer within the
recommended guidelines. This page provides facts about women with disabilities and breast cancer, tips that will help women with disabilities get a quality mammogram and clinical exam, stories of four women with disabilities who were diagnosed with breast cancer, and links to additional information and publications.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) —Surgery Choices for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed a booklet to help women recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The booklet, available in both Spanish and English, provides evidence-based information to help women choose between lumpectomy, mastectomy, and mastectomy with breast reconstruction surgery. Included in the booklet are side-by-side comparisons of questions and answers for each procedure, such as whether the type of surgery a woman chooses will affect how long she lives, what the chances are that her cancer will return after surgery, and what her breast will look like after surgery. To request free copies of the printed booklet in either English or Spanish, phone the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse (toll-free) at 800-358-9295 or e-mail ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov.
Inside Cancer http://insidecancer.org
This award-winning Web site, operated by the Dolan DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, offers users a multimedia guide to cancer biology. Through animations and expert interviews, visitors learn the hallmarks of cancer, cancer causes and prevention, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and cancer pathways. The site was produced by a grant from the National Center for Research Resources, a component of the National Institutes of Health.
Medicare — "WOMEN with Medicare: Visiting Your Doctor for a Pap Test, Pelvic Exam, and Clinical Breast Exam" www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/women.pdf(Please note that this link connects you to an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.)*
This booklet is designed to help women who receive Medicare understand what is covered in the Original Medicare Plan, what Medicare will pay, and what they will pay.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) — Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Risk: It's Your Choice https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/details.asp?pid=1166
This booklet provides a general overview of testing for breast and ovarian cancer risk. It describes the pros and cons of this kind of testing and explains terms like "family history," "genes," and "genetic testing." For more information about cancer and genetic testing, patients should talk to a doctor or another health care professional trained in genetics.
NCI — Understanding Breast Changes www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understanding-breast-changes
In August 2004, the NCI released an updated version of its patient education booklet regarding breast changes. The booklet explains the facts and symptoms related to breast conditions; the changes common at various stages of life; and the possible next steps to consider in terms of testing and diagnosis when certain changes do occur. The booklet is intended to help ease patients' concerns during the stressful time between receiving an abnormal result and a diagnosis by explaining commonly used medical terms in easy-to-understand, everyday language and by including sample questions patients can ask during appointments to facilitate patient-provider communication about changes or abnormal results. Copies of the booklet are available free by calling (toll-free) 800-4-CANCER or by visiting https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/details.asp?pid=1323.
What Collaboration Can Accomplish
Curious about the potential of a comprehensive, collaborative approach to cancer control? Compare the text and staging maps for breast cancer and colorectal cancer in Michigan and see for yourself a vivid picture of the difference collaborative action can make.
Cancer Family History Guide
The Cancer Family History Guide was created by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Public Health Genomics. This hand-held risk assessment tool is designed to identify patients at risk for two hereditary cancer syndromes: Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome and Lynch syndrome (often called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC). It can be used quickly by healthcare providers during limited clinic time. If a significant family history is reported, the guide indicates that: 1) a patient referral for genetic counseling and further evaluation is appropriate, and 2) increased screening and consideration of management options are indicated. MDCH is providing these guides with an instructional card to all Michigan healthcare providers free of charge. If you would like to know more about the Cancer Family History Guide, would like to disseminate it within your health system, or would like a copy for yourself, please contact Jenna McLosky at 517-335-8826 (e-mail: mcloskyj@michigan.gov) or visit www.migeneticsconnection.org/cancer tool.shtml.
Cancer Screening: Payer Cost/Benefit thru Employee Benefits Programs (Milliman Consultants and Actuaries; November 2005) (available as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file)* Some of the biggest successes and most effective weapons in the war on cancer — screening (early detection) and prevention — are not being used as effectively as they should be. Leading authorities have established that cancer screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers are effective at reducing these cancers' incidence, severity and mortality. This paper, which was commissioned by C-Change and the American Cancer Society, demonstrates that covering and promoting full compliance with established screening recommendations thru employer-sponsored programs is low cost and cost effective for employee benefit programs.
American Cancer Society Free2Be Campaign www.michigancancer.org/WhatWeDo/ImprovingAccessCancerServicesCommunityCollaboration-breastandcervical.cfm
Estimates from Census 2000 data for Michigan reveal that more than 375,000 women are eligible for the statewide Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP). However, recruiting women eligible for the BCCCP is a difficult and time-consuming activity, and only about 15 percent of all eligible Michigan women have ever been served through the program. In an effort to address the problem of eligible Michigan women underutilizing BCCCP services, the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division Inc., and the Michigan Department of Community Health Cancer Prevention and Control Section joined forces to publicize the program throughout the state.
Improving Cancer Early Detection in Primary Care www.michigancancer.org/WhatWeDo/ImprovingCancerEarlyDetectionPrimaryCare.cfm
The goal of the Improving Cancer Early Detection in Primary Care project was to move toward reduction in the burden of cancer by promoting the early detection and follow up of breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. In this project, the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Michigan Public Health Institute funded five health systems (grantees) to improve the health systems' cancer early detection processes in their primary care practices. This called for grantees to work within selected primary care practices (pilot sites) to develop or improve continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes within the pilot site or the health system. Grantees were charged specifically with improving cancer early detection through the use of a CQI process. CQI is a systematic step-wise cycle for organizational improvement, and includes assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases.
Improving Cancer Outcomes for African Americans in Michigan www.michigancancer.org/WhatWeDo/ImprovingCancerOutcomesAfricanAmericans.cfm
This 2002-2004 project was designed to reduce the unequal burden of cancer and improve the quality of life of African Americans in Michigan. The initiative was based on a community engagement model in which African-American community representatives from across socio-economic strata were organized to provide leadership in developing methods to best engage members of their communities to address the issues of cancer. Design Teams were formed in each of the five selected communities to plan and implement activities to engage the larger community to assist in accomplishing the goals of the project through a statewide initiative. The major cancers addressed by the design teams were breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate.
Improving Cancer Outcomes in African Americans (2003-2005) The program's purpose was to mobilize African Americans in designing appropriate methods to promote a greater understanding of the disparity of cancer illness and death. The project also addressed the barriers to cancer prevention and health care in the African American community.
Final report for this project (available as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file)*
Michigan Cancer Survivorship Resource Guide (revised June 2011)
One of the Michigan Cancer Consortium’s current goals is to increase Michigan cancer survivors’ awareness of, and access to, survivorship resources and services. The Michigan Cancer Survivorship Resource Guide can help people diagnosed with cancer, their families, and loved ones find assistance and support. The information, originally in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, has been converted to a searchable database. The Resource Guide database is organized by counties and can be used by both providers and cancer survivors to find resources and support services.
The following presentation was prepared for Michigan Cancer Consortium use and was presented to the MCC Board of Directors during the Board's Nov. 17, 2004 meeting. (Please Note: Reproduction of this presentation in its entirety is permitted. If a portion of the presentation is used or any of slides are altered, all logos and references must be removed.)
Web Sites of Interest — Michigan Government Resources
Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) The Michigan BCCCP offers eligible low-income women access to life-saving breast and cervical cancer screening services and follow-up care. BCCCP services are available through local coordinating agencies throughout the state, including local health departments and tribal health clinics of federally recognized Indian tribes.
Breast & Cervical Cancer Clinical Updates
Prior to January 2006, many issues of the Michigan BCCCP Newsletter contained the Breast & Cervical Cancer Clinical Update, a special insert that provided relevant information for program providers and their clinical staff. Although they were written specifically for Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program providers, they proved to be of significant value for all clinicians dealing with breast and cervical cancer as part of their healthcare practices.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) — Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/breastcancer This page features the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated recommendations for breast cancer screening. The recommendations and rationale are available in an Adobe Acrobat PDF file, along with a Web cast of the press conference and video clip. Also see the press release and available fact sheets.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Cancer Prevention and Control www.cdc.gov/cancer/
As a leader in nationwide efforts to ease the burden of cancer, the CDC
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control works with national cancer organizations, state health agencies, and
other key groups to develop, implement and promote effective
strategies for preventing and controlling cancer.
CDC Publications www.cdc.gov//Publications
CDC develops materials designed to teach health professionals, policy makers, the media, and the public about cancer prevention and control. All of the agency's current publications (including a variety of fact sheets, brochures, posters in English and other languages) are available online as Web pages, Adobe Acrobat PDF documents, or both. The page also includes a link to order printed copies of some of the publications free of charge. Quantities are limited and this service is available only in the United States.
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm
This link will take you to information about the NBCCEDP, which Congress established in 1990. Through the program, the CDC provides critical breast and cervical cancer screening services to underserved women, including older women, women with low incomes, and women of racial and ethnic minority groups. The NBCCEDP operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories, and 12 American Indian/Alaska Native organizations.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Prevention www.cms.hhs.gov/PrevntionGenInfo
Medicare covers a broad range of services to prevent disease, detect disease early when it is most treatable and curable, and manage disease so that complications can be avoided. The CMS Prevention section is an information resource to help support the delivery and promotion of Medicare preventive benefits.This section also includes research that CMS has conducted on healthy aging.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — Breast Cancer Information Site www.hhs.gov/breastcancer
The HHS Breast Cancer Information (BCI) site was launched in July 2005 to coincide with the unveiling of the redesigned Web site of the HHS Office on Women's Health (http://WomensHealth.gov). The BCI site is linked from the HHS Diseases and Conditions Page, under the What's New section. It is also linked from the WomensHealth.gov site home page in the Features section. Major topic sections on the BCI site include: the basics of breast cancer; symptoms, screening and testing; diagnosis and treatment; clinical trials and research; support and daily living; prevention, genetics and causes; statistics; and references for further information.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) — Breast Cancer Home Page www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/ cancer_type/breast
The NCI Breast Cancer Home Page includes an overview of breast cancer, along with information about treatment; prevention, genetics and causes; screening and testing; clinical trials; cancer literature; research and related information; and statistics.
NCI — Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool http://bcra.nci.nih.gov/brc
Developed by scientists at the NCI and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) Biostatistics Center, this Web tool allows a health professional to project a woman's individualized estimate of risk for invasive breast cancer over a five-year period and over her lifetime (to age 90). The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool has been designed for a health professional to project an individual patient's estimate of invasive breast cancer risk. It is only part of the complex discussion regarding a woman's options in reducing her risk of breast cancer.
NCI — Cancer Genetics Network http://epi.grants.cancer.gov/CGN
The NCI sponsors the Cancer Genetics Network (CGN), a national network of centers specializing in the study of inherited predisposition to cancer. The resource is available to the research community at large to support studies on the genetic basis of human cancer susceptibility, the integration of this information into medical practice, and the behavioral, ethical, and public health issues associated with human genetics. The growing database has information on 20,100 individuals (15,760 families) with cancer and/or a family history of cancer. Data available to researchers include demographic information, relevant medical history, and a four-generation cancer family history on each enrollee. The population enrolled makes possible research on both common and uncommon tumors. The CGN infrastructure enables studies on genes of moderate and low penetrance, as well as the more easily identified high penetrance genes.
NCI — Cancer Risk: Understanding the Puzzle http://understandingrisk.cancer.gov
This site offers a reliable source for individuals and healthcare providers who are seeking: risk information for six common cancer types (breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, prostate, and skin); steps to reduce an individual's risk; tips for understanding cancer news stories; and tools an individual can use with his/her provider to manage his/her cancer risk.
NCI — CANCERLIT Topic Searches (Breast Cancer)
Review CANCERLIT topic searches related to breast cancer, including screening and prevention; chemotherapy; genetics; radiotherapy; and surgery. Select the desired timeframe (i.e., all, last 30 days, last 60 days, and last 90 days), and then view the collection of articles. Abstracts are provided online for some articles.
American Association for Cancer Education (AACE) www.aaceonline.com
The AACE fosters cancer education by individuals throughout the world who, either due to professional obligations or personal interest, are involved in cancer education. The association provides a forum for health-related professionals concerned with the study and improvement of cancer education at the undergraduate, graduate, continuing professional, and paraprofessional levels. Active members include physicians, dentists, nurses, health educators, social workers, occupational therapists, and other professionals interested in cancer education. Cancer education efforts are related to prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation.
American Cancer Society (ACS) www.cancer.org
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering, and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 14 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States.
CancerCare www.cancercare.org (English) www.cancercare.org/espanol (Spanish)
CancerCare is a national non-profit organization that provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. The site features resources for people with cancer and their caregivers (including counseling, educational programs, information and referrals, and financial needs resources), as well as cancer care professionals and members of the media. Users may choose between English- and Spanish-language site pages.
CancerNetwork.com www.cancernetwork.com/contents/breast.htm This site offers a summary of news/commentaries, reviews, handbooks, and other materials covering the continuum of breast cancer issues. Many pages of information are available and are organized under topics such as epidemiology and risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and psychosocial effects.
C-Change www.c-changetogether.org
C-Change is comprised of the nation's key cancer leaders from government, business and nonprofit sectors. These cancer leaders share the vision of a future where cancer is prevented, detected early, and cured or managed successfully as a chronic illness. The mission of C-Change is to leverage the combined expertise and resources of its members to eliminate cancer as a (major) public health problem at the earliest possible time.
Lance Armstrong Foundation — LIVESTRONG Survivor Care www.livestrong.org
The LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare program offers counseling services, help with financial, employment or insurance issues, and information about treatment options and new treatments in development. LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare is for all cancer survivors, including those individuals diagnosed and their caregivers, family and friends.
Medscape Resource Center — Breast Cancer www.medscape.com/resource/breastcancer
A collection of the latest medical news and information about breast cancer workup, treatment, follow up, and images. This resource center includes news, conference summaries, an ask the expert forum, articles, editorials, journal scans, treatment updates, clinical management modules, MEDLINE abstracts, and more.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month www.nbcam.org This site, the official site of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month observation, is dedicated to increasing awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection. It works through a nationwide education campaign aimed at the general public, state and federal governments, health care professionals, employers, and women of all ages and ethnic groups. From this site, you can access:
facts about breast cancer;
the Promotion Guide, which contains ideas for promoting National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in your clinic, your workplace, and your community, as well as with the media; and
materials and resources about breast cancer, mammography, and treatment for patients and health professionals, with samples to view and information for ordering.
The site also includes background on National Mammography Day, as well as a way to find radiology facilities that have agreed to offer discounted or free screening mammograms in recognition of the day.
Prevent Cancer Foundation www.preventcancer.org/
The mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation is cancer prevention and early detection through research, education, and community outreach to all populations, including children and the underserved. Its vision: "We will achieve significant reduction in cancer incidence and mortality by eradicating some cancers and transforming others into manageable chronic diseases."
The Wellness Community www.thewellnesscommunity.org
The Wellness Community is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing free emotional support, education and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones. The cornerstone of The Wellness Community is the “Patient Active Concept,” which encompasses the belief that patients who actively participate with their physicians and medical team in their fight for recovery can improve the quality of their lives and may enhance the possibility of their recovery. The site's Virtual Wellness Community offers cancer information, free, professionally moderated support groups in real-time for people with cancer and their caregivers (including teens), and a host of other resources for consumers and professionals. It also hosts physician and nurse lectures, nutritional workshops, mind-body programs, and other services. Both the site's resources and the online support groups are available in English and in Spanish.
Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Resources to help you promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month (observed in October) are available through the Michigan Cancer Consortium Monthly Theme Calendar.
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