The statistics about breast cancer are astounding! The National Breast Cancer Foundation reports on their website (www.nationalbreastcancer.org) that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and that one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. More than 40,000 U.S. women die from breast cancer each year. All of this may seem overwhelming and frightening.
However, there is a lot of good news on the horizon. Since 1990, rates of deaths from breast cancer have been declining. Many things have contributed to this decline. Research has led to breakthroughs in treating breast cancer as millions of dollars have been raised and the efforts have paid off! As we continue giving, researchers will be able to continue their life-saving work.
Another reason for the decline in breast cancer cases is early detection. Breast self-examination has become routine for many women, and mammograms have become affordable as more insurance companies pay all or part of the cost. The mammogram has made it possible for breast cancer to be detected years earlier than it could be without this specialized x-ray.
Talk to your doctor about your breast health. Find out at what age you should begin having regular mammograms and how often. Several factors will be taken into consideration—your age, your family history of breast cancer, your general health and lifestyle. After you have all this information, make an appointment and have a mammogram! Don’t just talk about it—get it done! It could save your life.