October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every year, the month of October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States. This month-long campaign is organized by a variety of breast cancer charities and is designed to raise awareness about the disease’s impact, encourage people to look out for breast cancer signs, and drive donations to support breast cancer research.
At St. Jude Labs, we are proud to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the millions of people who have been impacted by this disease. To support the campaign’s goal of increasing breast cancer awareness, we’ve put together a guide that covers everything you need to know about breast cancer.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is defined as any cancer that forms in one or both breasts. Included in this general term are numerous types of cancer that are distinguished based on where in the breast the cancerous cells begin to grow, how much they have grown and spread, and the nature of the cancer’s behavior.
Can Men Get Breast Cancer?
Biological women are at a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than biological men. However, men do sometimes get breast cancer as well. In the United States, about 1 out of every 100 patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer are men.
What Are My Odds of Getting Breast Cancer?
In the United States, it is estimated that about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. For men, the number is 1 in 833. This puts a woman’s lifetime odds of getting breast cancer at 12.5% and a man’s lifetime odds at about 0.12%.
What is the Survival Rate for Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is one of the more deadly types of cancer. Among women, the only type of cancer that causes more death than breast cancer is lung cancer. However, breast cancer death rates have been declining for many years now as both treatments and early detection methods have continued to improve.
The exact mortality rate of breast cancer depends on the exact type of cancer and the stage at which it is diagnosed. Breast cancer is classified into four different stages based on how far the disease has progressed, with Stage I breast cancer being cancer that is confined to a small area of breast tissue and Stage IV breast cancer being cancer that has spread throughout the body. When diagnosed at Stage I, the five-year mortality rate of invasive breast cancer is 1-5%. When diagnosed at Stage IV, the five-year mortality rate of breast cancer is 75-80%, and Stage IV breast cancer is generally seen as incurable.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
Early detection is the most important key to surviving breast cancer, and women over the age of 50 are recommended to get a mammogram at least once every two years. Women between the ages of 40-49 should consult with their physician about when to start getting routine mammograms.
In addition to getting a mammogram, another way that women can help ensure that any breast cancer is diagnosed as soon as possible is by watching for breast cancer symptoms. This includes symptoms such as:
- Changes in breast size or shape
- A new lump in the breast or underarm
- Pain in any area of the breast
- Blood or other nipple discharge
How to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
The biggest breast cancer risk factors including age, sex, and genetics are going to be out of your control. However, there are a couple of risk factors that you can control and thus lower your lifetime breast cancer risk. Studies have shown that eating a healthy diet and maintaining an active lifestyle are both able to reduce the risk of developing numerous types of cancer, including breast cancer. Avoiding tobacco products and excess alcohol consumption will also help reduce your breast cancer. Lastly, studies have found that women who breastfeed their children are less likely to develop breast cancer than women who have never breastfed before.
