Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the month of October. The disease does not discriminate – young/old, family history/no family history, woman/man. No race is excluded; no geographical location is less prone to it. Anyone can fall victim to this common cancer, although it is more common in women.
Given that about 1 in 8 women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime, you probably have been affected by this awful disease in some way. Early detection is KEY. When you hear that the breast cancer cases have increased from 186,000 to over 216,000 – do not be alarmed. Doctors at the M.D. Anderson Medical Cancer Center assure us that most of the cases that contribute to that increase are because of early detection through medical technology that did not exist in years past.
Over the years many myths have developed surrounding breast cancer. In an article on Health.com, 25 of the most common breast cancer myths are explored and rebuked. In addition, new findings are discovered every day. The most recent findings related to breast cancer can be found in Huffington Post’s article, “Breast Cancer Research: 10 Things We’ve Learned About The Disease So Far This Year.”
Do your part in helping your loved ones (yes, even men can get breast cancer) by sharing awareness information and encouraging monthly self-exams and annual doctor appointments. It just may save a life.