October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer in women in the US overall, but it is the leading cause of cancer death in Black and Hispanic women.

Approximately 1 in 8 women (13%) will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime and 1 in 39 women (3%) will die from breast cancer

Breast cancer in men is rare, accounting for 1% of breast cancer cases in the US.

Most often when breast cancer is detected because of symptoms (such as a lump in the breast), a woman discovers the symptom during usual activities such as bathing or dressing. Women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and should report any changes to a health care provider right away.

Mammograms are low-dose x-rays of the breast. Regular mammograms can help find breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to be successful. A mammogram can often find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical symptoms develop.

• Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
• Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.

Early detection of breast cancer by mammography reduces the risk of breast cancer death as it increases treatment options, including less extensive surgery and/ or the use of chemotherapy.

There are new treatment options available. Talk to your Doctor about treatment options if you develop Breast cancer.

Early detection is the Key!! Get your Mammogram today!!!

American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2022-2024. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc. 2022.