National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

One in eight. That is how many women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. In the US, nearly 253,000 women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and another 63,410 with non-invasive breast cancer. These are daunting statistics. But awareness is the first step towards more effective treatment – and a cure.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is about much more than wearing pink ribbons. Thanks to awareness efforts:

• After rising for over two decades, US breast cancer incident rates began to decrease in 2000. From 2002 to 2003, they dropped by 7 percent. Many experts attribute this to the reduced use of hormone replacement therapy after a study found a potential link between HRT and breast cancer.
• Death rates have declined since 1989, especially in women under 50. Researchers believe this is a result of earlier detection, better treatment options, and increased awareness[1].

When women (and men – one in 1000 will develop breast cancer) are informed and aware of the risks – and of the preventative measures and treatment options available today – they can make informed decisions to protect their health.

Some steps you can take now to reduce your risk of breast cancer:

• Limit alcohol. Drinking more than one alcoholic beverage per day increases your risk of developing breast cancer.
• Do not smoke. Easier said than done, but if you do smoke, your risk is higher. Ask your doctor for help quitting.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight, particularly that gained after menopause, is linked with increased risk. Eating healthy helps you combat breast cancer (and other forms), as does engaging in regular physical activity.

These steps deliver bonus benefits: they help you stave off heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health conditions.

• Ask your doctor about mammograms. The American Cancer Society recommends women without obvious risk (e.g. a women who has a sister, mother, or daughter with breast cancer is at twice the risk) wait until age 45 and have yearly mammograms. At 55, they can do them every other year.[2]

This October, turn awareness into action. Take a step towards better health, and a decreased risk of developing breast cancer, today.

[1]     http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics

[2]     https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-mammography-guidelines-call-for-starting-later-and-screening-less-often-201510218466