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.
- 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
