While we usually associate October with Halloween, it has also become closely linked with Breast Cancer Awareness. We would like to take this opportunity to share some interesting facts and prevention tips with you from reputable medical centers.
7 Facts About Breast Cancer*
1. One in eight women will be impacted by breast cancer in their lifetime.
2. In the United States, it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
3. After lung cancer, it is the second leading cause of cancer death.
4. Every year in the United States, more than 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease.
5. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer can also affect younger women.
6. Men can also be impacted by breast cancer, but it is not as common. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States affects a man.
7. Early detection is the most effective way of surviving the cancer. When found early, the chance of curing is promising; exceeding over 90 percent.
8 tips to reduce your risk**
1. Get a mammogram. Talk to your doctor about when to start.
2. Get active — do things you love.
3. Limit alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the greater the risk.
4. Quit smoking. There’s a link between smoking and breast cancer risk.
5. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer.
6. Breastfeed. It may play a role in breast cancer prevention.
7. Talk to your doctor about the effects of hormone therapy.
8. Eat a healthy diet.
*Information courtesy of the Weil Cornell Medical Center’s Meyer Cancer Center
** Information courtesy of the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula’s Carol Hatton Breast Cancer Center.