October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some facts to consider if you’ve been putting off that mammogram:
- According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
- This year, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,790 men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. This means chances are, you know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer.
- The median age of women in the United States who are diagnosed with breast cancer is 62; the median age for men is 69.
- If caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection and treatment make this possible.
- Currently there are over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
What You Can Do
- Speak with your healthcare provider about your breast cancer risk.
- Remember to schedule your mammogram (and one for your loved one).
- Remember that early detection followed by early intervention are key to the 99% survival rate!
Sources: American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Breastcancer.org
