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Do More to Stay Healthy: View tips for healthy living past menopause

Although invasive breast cancer affects a relatively small percentage of women, it is the most common cancer among women, after non-melanoma skin cancers. As women past menopause age, they have a higher chance of being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer than younger women.

Invasive Breast Cancer Risk Factors
What Puts Me at High Risk?
The Difference Between Invasive and Noninvasive Breast Cancer
Some Facts About Invasive Breast Cancer

Invasive Breast Cancer Risk Factors
The risk factors for invasive breast cancer include:

  • Family history: If your mother, sister, or daughter has been diagnosed, your risk is increased. The risk is greater if she was diagnosed before the age of 50
  • Previous breast biopsy, even if the results were normal
  • First live birth after age 30, or never giving birth
  • First period before age 12
  • Age: 2 out of 3 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer are age 55 or older
  • Increased breast density

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What Puts Me at High Risk?
Only your doctor can tell you if you’re at high risk for invasive breast cancer. A five-year predicted risk of invasive breast cancer greater than 1.66%, based on the modified Gail model (the Gail model is a breast cancer assessment tool widely accepted and used by doctors), is defined as high risk of invasive breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment

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The Difference Between Invasive and Noninvasive Breast Cancer
Cancer occurs when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control and form a mass or lump called a tumor. Breast cancer is a tumor that starts from cells in the breast, and is characterized as "invasive" or "noninvasive" breast cancer. Knowing the difference between these two types of cancer is important for your overall understanding of the disease.

Invasive Breast Cancer
Invasive breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer. Invasive breast cancer occurs when malignant cells break through the milk duct or lobule and invade surrounding fatty tissue; the cancer may eventually spread to the lymphatic system and bloodstream.

Noninvasive Breast Cancer
In contrast, noninvasive breast cancer is cancer that is contained in the breast's milk ducts or lobules, and does not invade any of the surrounding normal tissues. About 1 out of 5 new breast cancer cases will be noninvasive. Nearly all women diagnosed at this early stage of breast cancer can be cured.

Note: EVISTA is not indicated to reduce the risk of noninvasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

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Some Facts About Invasive Breast Cancer
Knowing some basic facts about invasive breast cancer—including the various risk factors, effective screening methods, and other concerns—can help you when discussing these important topics with your doctor.

  • Family history is one of several important risk factors.
    • 20% of U.S. women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer have family history of the disease. This is based on approximately 148,000 postmenopausal women participating in the Women's Health Initiative study wherein 2.2% (3,236) developed invasive breast cancer over 5 years.
  • Personal history is another important risk factor.
    • Personal risk factors for invasive breast cancer include:
      • Any previous breast biopsy, even if the results were normal
      • Experiencing your first period before age 12
      • Giving birth after age 30, or never giving birth
      • Having increased breast density
  • Incidence rate (likelihood) of invasive breast cancer risk increases with age.
    • Even though it may seem like a younger woman's disease, 2 out of 3 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer are age 55 or older.
  • A mammogram is an important screening tool.
    • A mammogram won't prevent invasive breast cancer, but it is an effective way to detect invasive breast cancer early. The American Cancer Society recommends you get one every year beginning at age 40, but they are especially important for women over age 50.
  • Other screening tools are available to detect invasive breast cancer.
    • A breast self-exam should be done once a month and women over 40 should have a clinical breast exam performed by their healthcare professional every year.
  • A majority of breast lumps are not cancerous.
    • 80% of all biopsied breast lumps are not cancerous.

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Next: Reduce Invasive Breast Cancer Risk with EVISTA

Indication for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCI tablets)
EVISTA is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis and for the reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

If you already have or have had breast cancer, EVISTA does not treat it or prevent its return, and it does not reduce the risk of all forms of breast cancer.

Indication for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCI tablets)
EVISTA is indicated for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Indication for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCI tablets)
EVISTA is indicated for the reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk for invasive breast cancer.

If you already have or have had breast cancer, EVISTA does not treat it or prevent its return, and it does not reduce the risk of all forms of breast cancer.

Indications for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCI tablets)
EVISTA is indicated for:

  • The treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
  • The reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
  • The reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk for invasive breast cancer

If you already have or have had breast cancer, EVISTA does not treat it or prevent its return, and it does not reduce the risk of all forms of breast cancer.

Important Safety Information About EVISTA

You should not take EVISTA if you have had or are at risk for getting blood clots in the legs, lungs or eyes, as it may increase the risk of blood clots. Stop taking EVISTA and call your doctor if you have leg pain or warmth, swelling of the legs, hands or feet, chest pain, shortness of breath or a sudden vision change, as these may be signs of a blood clot. Being unable to move around for long periods may increase this risk. If you will need to be still for a long time, talk to your doctor about ways to reduce the risk of blood clots.

EVISTA does not increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke in women who have had or are at risk for a heart attack; however; EVISTA increases the likelihood of dying from stroke in these women, should one occur. Before taking EVISTA tell your doctor if you have had a stroke, a mini-stroke, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, history of smoking, or believe you have other risk factors for stroke or a heart attack.

Before Taking EVISTA

EVISTA is not right for everyone. You should only take prescription EVISTA if you are past menopause. Before taking EVISTA, talk to your doctor about all your medical conditions. If you are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant, do not take EVISTA, as it may cause fetal harm. Women with liver or kidney disease should use EVISTA with caution. EVISTA should not be taken with estrogens in the form of pills, patches or injections.

Side Effects

Side effects may include hot flashes, leg cramps, swelling, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and sweating. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For more safety information, please see the Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information.