This Month’s Focus: Breast Cancer
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time focused on educating everyone about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and understanding the risks associated.
By the Numbers
30% of all new cancer cases in women each year in the U.S. are breast cancer. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women.
85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general.
Source: BreastCancer.Org
Detail
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 240,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,100 in men each year in the United States. Although deaths of breast cancer have declined over time, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death among women overall. It is recommended that women who are 50-74 years old should get a mammogram every two years. Women who are 40-49 years old should speak with their doctor about when to start and how often.
What are some of the risk factors for breast cancer? The risk for breast cancer is a combination of different factors. Having a risk factor does not mean you will get the disease and not all risk factors have the same risk.
- Some risk factors that cannot be changed are: getting older, reproductive history, genetic mutations, and family history.
- Some risk factors that can be changed include: not being physically active, drinking alcohol, hormone replacement therapy, and having obesity after menopause.
Reads & Soundbits
Instead of picking up a book or listening to a podcast, how about streaming or gaming? The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s initiative, Game Pink, unites gamers, streamers, content creators, and even cooks on a mission to say game over to breast cancer.
You can create your own charity stream and start fundraising here!
Comments are closed.