October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a great reminder to women to schedule their annual mammograms. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the more successfully it can be treated—-making regular mammograms vitally important. Roughly 1 in 8 women in the United States will get breast cancer. Next to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women.
Symptoms of breast cancer may include:
• A lump in the breast
• A change in size, shape, or feel of the breast
• Fluid (called “discharge”) from a nipple
Mammograms can help find breast cancer early when there is the best chance for treatment.
- If you are a woman between age 50 and 74 you need a mammogram every 2 years.
- If you are younger than 50 or older than 74, talk with your doctor about whether you need a mammogram.
These are general guidelines. Talk to a doctor about your risk for breast cancer, especially if breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family. Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get a mammogram.
- You may have heard it before—do self breast exams. Now, here are some added tips on just how to do them: Breast Self Examination Brochure.
- Nervous about getting a mammogram? Watch this short video about mammograms and what to expect.
- Did you know? Breast cancer can occur in men. According to NCI, about 1700 men are diagnosed each year. You can read more information about breast cancer in men here.
- Concerned about costs? There may be a free or low-cost mammogram program near you. Find out here.
- Show you care. Send an e-card with breast cancer prevention and screening info to a loved one.
Do you participate in any walks, runs, fundraisers, or rallies to support breast cancer awareness? If so, please share!
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3 Responses to October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
My daughters and I will be participating in a 5K walk/run in October. It will be packed- a sea of pink. We’re already signed up and waiting for our pink grocery bags filled with goodies + our pink T-shirts. It was horrible weather last year- icy rain and mud everywhere. One of my girls had the swine flu so she missed it. The other and I (and our friends) still had lots of fun. I’m crossing my fingers for good health and nice weather this year.
Maybe I’ll take pictures? It really is a sight to see thousands of people wearing pink.
Thanks for posting this. My maternal aunt had breast cancer last year (she has recovered and is doing well); her mother (my grandmother) died of breast cancer when she and my mom were children. All of this means an increased risk for me, which I’m very aware of. I had my first mammogram a year ago and plan to follow up with regular mammograms.
Ann, great to hear what you’re doing. Yes, do take pictures!
Great information here. I appreciate the brochure on self-examination techniques. That is an area I am not as good about as I should be.
I have to say, perhaps my experience is not the norm, but I have known quite a lot of women who have gone through treatment in the last 5 or so years and all of them are doing well and are showing no evidence of breast cancer. It is amazing the progress that has been made. Of course, there is much more to do.
Ann, what a great activity to do with your daughters. What a positive message.