News: October 2022 Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 2022 Breast Cancer Awareness Month

We are in this together – Our Mothers, Our Sisters, Our Daughters, Our Friends

Some Facts:

1. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S. except for skin cancer.  It is 30% or 1 in 3 of all new female cancers each year.

2. The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62.

3. Trends in breast cancer – In recent years incidence rates have increased by 0.5% per year.

4. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (lung cancer #1).  The chance a woman will die of breast cancer is 1 in 39 (2.5%)

5. Mortality rates from breast cancer have declined because of increased focus on early detection & improvements in treatment.

6. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.  That is one person every 2 minutes.

7. Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt.

Breast Cancer Symptoms:

1.  Any change in the size or shape of your breast.

2.  Pain in any area of the breast.

3.  Nipple discharge other than breast milk (including blood).

4.  A new lump in the breast or underarm.

5.  Some people have NO symptoms.

What YOU can do to Lower Your Risk of Breast Cancer:

1. Maintain  a healthy weight.

2. Be physically active.

3. Drink a moderate amount to no alcohol.

4. Limit hormone replacement therapy and/or oral contraceptives.

5. Breastfeed your children, if possible.