Breast Cancer Facts
- October is breast cancer awareness month
- One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime
- Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women
- Each year it is estimated that 252,710 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,500 will die
- On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes
- Over 33 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today. Death rates from female breast cancer dropped 40% from 1989 to 2016. Since 2007, breast cancer rates have been steady in women younger than 50, but have continued to decrease in older women.
- These decreases are believed to be the result of finding breast cancer earlier through screening and increased awareness, as well as better treatments.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
- AGE- 2 out of 3 women with invasive cancer are diagnosed after the age of 55
- RACE – Breast Cancer is diagnosed in Caucasian women more than any other race
- Family History
- Lack of Physical Activity
- Obesity and being overweight
- Drinking Alcohol
- Smoking
- Hormonal replacement therapy for menopausal women
Guidelines for Screening
- Annual mammogram screening should start at age 45
- Annual mammograms are suggested till age 55
- Above 55 mammograms may be done every other year
For more information: Call 800.227.2345 Live Chat 24 hours a day and www.americancancersociety.org