Several Seattle cancer programs have been nationally recognized. In its 2010 survey, "U.S. News & World Report" ranked the University of Washington as fifth best nationally for cancer care. The golden standard for cancer care is obtaining accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Seven cancer programs in Seattle are accredited by the commission. Unfortunately, despite ample accessibility to high-quality cancer treatment programs, the prevalence of breast cancer in Seattle is still higher than the national average.
Breast Cancer Treatment
Women with a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. As with all cancers, early detection is key to survival. Breast cancer usually is detected through mammography screenings.The National Cancer Institute recommends that women age 40 and older have mammograms every one to two years. The NCI has developed a screening tool to help women determine their risks for breast cancer. Visit the NCI website to take its online screening.
The most common breast cancer treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Surgical options include a lumpectomy to remove the cancer, partial mastectomy to remove part of the breast that has cancer and a total mastectomy to remove the whole breast.
Breast Cancer Prevalence in Seattle
The breast cancer incident rate for U.S. women is 538.8 per 100,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For women in Seattle-Puget Sound, the rate is 574.3 per 100,000. There are no indications why Seattle, with a lower than U.S. average obesity rate, has a higher-than-average rate for breast cancer. In 2006, Washington state had the third-highest incidence of breast cancer in the United States, according to the CDC.
Seattle's ACS-Accredited Cancer Programs
The American College of Surgeons Commission On Cancer (COC) surveys cancer programs and provides accreditation to those that meet its standards for cancer detection, treatment and support services. As of September 2010, the following cancer programs in Seattle have received accreditation from the COC: Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, Puget Sound VA Health Care System, Swedish Health Services, Swedish Cancer Institute, University of Washington Medical Center, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and Seattle Children's Hospital.
Breast Cancer Support Programs
There are many support services in Seattle for women who are going through breast cancer treatment and for breast cancer survivors.
The American Cancer Society offers a Reach to Recovery support program and a Look Good Feel Better program locally that provides wigs and other beauty items and resources to cancer patients and survivors to offset the physical affects of cancer treatments.
Gilda's Club opened in Seattle in 2002 to provide programs and support to cancer survivors. Programs include wellness, dance, art and educational lectures.
Local hospitals also offer support programs for cancer patients and survivors.
Breast Cancer Charities in Seattle
The American Cancer Society, Gilda's Club and The Susan G. Komen Foundation are among Seattle charities that seek funding for programs to assist patients and survivors, and to help find a cure for cancer.
The Komen Foundation-Puget Sound Affiliate's Lunch for the Cure, Power of the Promise and Race for the Cure are some of the fund-raising opportunities the foundation offers. Visit the foundation's website for event information.
