Breast Cancer Facts
- Each year in the United States, about 264,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease.
- Black women die from breast cancer at a higher rate than White women.
- Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women.
- One in 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer are under the age of 45. In younger women breast cancer is mostly hereditary, it’s usually more aggressive, found in later stages and is harder to treat.
- Men also get breast cancer, but it is not very common. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.
Symptoms
- Changes in breast tissue, nipple discharge, pain in the breast, a new lump in breast or under the arm. Skin changes.
What are the Risk Factors?
Risk Factors you can change
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Hormone therapy
- Drinking alcohol
- Increase in age
- Family History
- Early Menarche
- Starting Menopause after 55 y/o
- Radiation therapy before age 30
- Genetic mutations
Those with a family history are at high risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
What can you do?
- Know your Family History!!!
- Get genetic testing
- If you have a strong family history start screening early.
- Examine yourself and bring up any concerns to your doctor. Do not be scared. It’s better to be early, than late.
- Eat healthy and exercising can lower your risk
- Giving birth and Breastfeeding for 12 months or longer lowers your risk by at least 15% per child.
The United States Preventive Service Task Force recommends that most women should start screening for breast cancer via mammograms at 50 years of age and to continue at least every two years until the age of 74y/o.
Reference: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Breast Cancer Awareness. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/breastcancerawareness/index.htm
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