There have been great strides regarding breast cancer awareness, however, there are still women who don’t know the severity of the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers.
About one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.
Statistics for African-American women are even more alarming. Breast cancer incidence in Black women is lower than in white women overall. However, for women younger than 40, incidence is higher among African-American women than white women.
Breast cancer mortality is 41 percent higher in African-American women than in white women. Although breast cancer survival in Black women has increased in recent decades, survival rates remain lower than among white women.
Here is additional, pertinent information about breast cancer.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow, divide, and spread. In most cancers, these abnormal cells form a mass called a tumor. Most cancers are named for where they start.
Cancers can spread. They can invade nearby tissues and organs. Or, they can break away and spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms and treatment depend on the cancer type and how advanced it is.
About breast cancer
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast divide and grow without normal control. Between 50 and 75 percent of breast cancers begin in the ducts, 10 to 15 percent begin in the lobules and a few begin in other breast tissues.
Tumors in the breast tend to grow slowly. By the time a lump is large enough to feel, it may have been growing for as long as 10 years. However, some tumors are aggressive and grow much more rapidly.
Warning signs of breast cancer
Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area.
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast.
Change in the breast size or shape.
Dimpling or puckering of the skin.
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple.
Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast.
Sudden nipple discharge
New pain in one spot that does not go away.
Risk factors
Gender – Simply being a woman is the main risk factor for developing breast cancer. Men can develop breast cancer, but this disease is about 100 times more common among women than men.
Aging – About one out of eight invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45, while about two of three invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older.
Genetics – About five to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, resulting directly from gene defects inherited from a parent.
Family history – Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease.
Personal history – A woman with cancer in one breast has a three to four-fold increased risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. This is different from a recurrence (return) of the first cancer.
Race/ethnicity – Overall, white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are African-American women, but African-American women are more likely to die of this cancer. However, in women under 45 years of age, breast cancer is more common in African- American women.
Menstrual periods – Women who have had more menstrual cycles because they started menstruating early (before age 12) and/or went through menopause later (after age 55) have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.
Lifestyle related factors
Having children – Women who have had no children or who had their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher breast cancer risk.
Birth control – Studies have found that women using oral contraceptives (birth control pills) have a slightly greater risk of breast cancer than women who have never used them.
Being overweight or obese – Being overweight or obese after menopause increases breast cancer risk.
Take action
Know your risk factors; know your breasts.
Ask your health care provider which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk.
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk.
Have a clinical breast exam at least every three years starting at age 20 and every year starting at age 40.
Sign up for a screening reminder or set an appointment in advance.
Make healthy choices
Maintain a healthy weight with the proper diet.
Add exercise into your daily routine.
Limit alcohol intake.
Limit menopausal hormone therapy.
Breastfeed if you can.
Sources: Komen.org; cancer.org; womenshealth.gov; cdc.gov.
