October can feel different for all of us, some wear pink to celebrate, some quietly observe the month, some feel grief, and some feel unseen or misunderstood. But in some way, we all can relate somehow with this awareness in the month of October. Breast cancer mainly occurs in women after 35 years of age. Breast cancer is rare in men but can also occur.
Breast cancer is a disease where the cells in the breast area grow out of control. It can begin in the breast ducts or lobules. A breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. The lobules are the glands that produce milk. The ducts are tubes that carry milk to the nipple. The connective tissue, which consists of fibrous and fatty tissue that surrounds and holds everything together.
Each year in the United States, about 240,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,100 in men. About 42,000 women and 500 men in the U.S. die each year from breast cancer. Black women have a higher rate of death from breast cancer than all other women. We can try and prevent late diagnosis by taking the right steps.
Being female and older in age are the main risk factors for breast cancer. Other risk factors include estrogen (made in the body), dense breast tissue, age at menstruation and first birth, taking hormones for symptoms of menopause, smoking, obesity, and not getting enough exercise.
• Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.
• Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years, or can continue yearly screening.
• Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
• All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening.
There are many support groups who can provide significant information and can help with these types of diagnosis or even early detection. They create a healthy space for patients and their families and survivors. Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can cause physiological challenges and emotions too. Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can also play a big role in a patient’s mental health while going through a cancer diagnosis.
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