Breast cancer prevention slipping according to poll

NEW YORK (WABC) -- It is October 1st, a time when breast cancer advocates hope to have more discussion about prevention of breast cancer, but according to the latest poll from ABC News, we may have to do a lot more than just wearing pink.

Fewer women say they're doing self-breast exams now compared with six years ago.

One in four women, age 50 or older says they've never had a mammogram.

Not to mention, women with fewer resources to pay are not getting as many mammograms as others.

"A big difference based on income. 64% who lived in a household that earned at least $40,000 were screened, 45% of women in households earning less than $25,000," said Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News.

There's some encouraging news on the genetic front, however, Angelina Jolie's doctor, speaking to Eyewitness News for the first time, about the increase in awareness of the BRCA 1 and 2 genetic mutations which increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

Jolie put the so-called "faulty gene" clearly on the map last May.

"A BRCA gene mutation? What is that? Well now, many people know, they're getting tested, and lives are being saved," said Dr. Kristi Funk, Angelina Jolie's doctor, Pink Lotus Breast Center.

There are also a couple of new techniques Jolie's doctors have applied.

One, called "nipple delay " was performed on Jolie prior to her mastectomy and helps preserve that part of the breast.

Another technique marks what's known as the breast's sentinel node without removing it.

"And in this way, women have all options open to them. If they have concern, they'll find out if it spread, and if they don't have concern, they did not do an unnecessary procedure," Dr. Funk said.

Lastly, there is talk of a new drug, called Perjeta.

"This is exciting, it's the first drug the FDA has ever approved, before a woman has surgery and what they found is, when they get this, women who have surgery, they have fewer cancer cells there. The hope is longer survival, we'll have to see what those studies show," Dr. Besser said.

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breast cancer, cancer, health news, stacey sager

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