Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Every October is known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The annual campaign that occurs raises awareness about the impact breast cancer has on society. Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common contracted cancer for women in America. The risk for a woman in the U.S. to develop breast cancer in her lifetime is at 13%, or a 1 in 8 chance.

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2021 are:

1. About281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed inwomen.   ‍
2. About 49,290 newcases of ductalcarcinoma in situ (DCIS) will bediagnosed.  ‍
3. About 43,600 women will die from breast cancer.1

1. Mammogram
2. Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
3. Clinical Breast exam
   
4. Breast Self-Awareness
   

1. Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
2. New lump found in the breast or armpit
3. Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
4. Pain in any area of the breast
5. Change in size or shape of the breast

People can have different symptoms of breast cancer. Some people do not have any symptoms at all. Some warning signs of breast cancer can be:

Some of these symptoms are not just in line with cancer so if you have any signs or symptoms that you are worried about, please make an appointment with your doctor.

Numerous studies have shown there are risks to breast cancer due to a variety of factors. Risk factors that you cannot change would include getting older, your reproductive history, genetic mutations, having dense breasts, and family history of breast or ovarian cancer to name a few. Some risk factors that are in your control would be physical activity, alcohol consumption, reproductive history, taking hormones, and overweight after hitting menopause.

Breast cancer screening is important to help people be informed about their breast health. Even though screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help with early detection when cancer is easier to treat. Everyone should talk to their healthcare provider about what screening test is right for them and when the screening should take place. Screening tests + exam options include:

For more information please visit the resources below:

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/what_cdc_is_doing/index.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/resources/index.htm

1 “How Common Is Breast Cancer?: Breast Cancer Statistics.” American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html.