Breast Cancer Awareness Month

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, after skin cancer. Statistically, there is a chance that 1 in 8 women will develop cancer at some point in their lives. The data demonstrate the importance of raising awareness about this issue, prioritizing your health, dispelling myths, and promoting early detection testing.

Learn more about breast cancer

Breast cancer arises when cancerous or malignant cells develop in the breast tissue. According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is more likely to occur as you age and there is a high incidence in white women, although black women die more frequently from breast cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that there are different types of breast cancer, depending on which cells turn into cancer. Although most cases begin in the ducts or lobules, breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body through blood vessels and lymph vessels – a process known as metastasis. Although there is no method to absolutely prevent breast cancer, there are certain measures that can be taken to reduce the risk.

Prevention and Early Detection

When talking about prevention, it refers to the many efforts to reduce the risk of suffering from a disease. It is very important to highlight that the risk of suffering from cancer is a combination of factors such as: genetics, lifestyle, sex, age, among others. According to the National Cancer Institute, some ways to prevent or reduce the risk of breast cancer are:

• Exercise
• Improve eating habits
• Avoid products and chemicals that increase the risk of cancer or cause cancer
• Taking medications to treat a precancerous condition
• Surgery to reduce the risk (prophylactic mastectomy)
• Reduce estrogen exposure
• Avoid smoking
• Have a healthy weight
• Breast-feed

In addition, it is recommended to have early detection tests with some regularity. These types of tests can help identify changes in the breast area long before symptoms appear. The earlier these changes are detected, the better the chances of receiving effective treatment and achieving recovery. For example, the National Cancer Institute indicates that women ages 50 to 69 who have regular mammogram screenings are less likely to die from cancer than those who do not have a mammogram. Prevention guidelines outlined by the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommend the following early detection tests:

• A monthly self-examination
• An annual clinical examination
• For women 40 to 49 years old, a mammogram screening as recommended by your doctor
• For women ages 50 to 74, a mammogram screening every 2 years or as recommended by your doctor
• A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be ordered by your doctor, if necessary

Breast cancer in men: what you should know

Breast cancer is not a disease exclusive to women, men can suffer from it. Although its frequency is much lower, the CDC estimates that 1 in every 100 cases occurs in men. As in women, early detection and self-examination are vital. Below are some of the most common risk factors in men:

• Age
• Family history of breast cancer
• Genetic mutations
• History of radiation therapy to the chest
• Hormonal therapies
• Klinefelter syndrome
• Liver disease
• Overweight and obesity
• Testicular conditions

It is very important that you recognize any signs or symptoms of change in the chest, armpit and nipple area. The changes that both men and women could observe are:

• Lump or swelling
• Flaky or red skin
• Irritation or sinking of any part of the skin
• Nipple discharge
• Nipple sinking or pain

If you have any of these symptoms or changes, see your doctor right away. Let us remember that maintaining good health throughout your life can help you reduce the risk of having cancer and will improve your chances of surviving if you do suffer from it.

Find a mammography screening center near you, learn more about breast cancer risk factors and symptoms, and find other valuable resources here.