Breast Cancer Awareness—Be Diligent for Early Detection
According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2025, an estimated 316,950 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Only lung cancer kills more women each year. The chance that any woman will die from breast cancer is about 1 in 43 (about 2.3%). Breast cancer death rates have been decreasing steadily since 1989, for an overall decline of 44% through 2022. The decrease in death rates is believed to be the result of finding breast cancer earlier through screening and increased awareness, as well as better treatments.
Gender and age are the main risk factors. As age increases, so does the risk for developing breast cancer. The American Cancer Society is encouraging women to fight breast cancer by taking charge of the personal breast health to reduce other risk factors by taking the following steps: begin monthly self-breast exams at age 20; have a baseline mammogram between ages 35 and 40, and then a mammogram every year after age 40. Women who do this will find a lump at a much earlier time. The earlier cancer is found, the better the survival rate.
Besides a monthly self-breast exam, annual breast physical exams by a health care professional and the annual mammogram, women are encouraged to eat healthier. Their diet should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and rice and limit fats, sweets, alcohol and totally avoiding tobacco products.
Women also need to get plenty of exercise—at least 45 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important. Practicing stress management and getting enough sleep each night will keep people healthier and help to recharge the immune system.
For additional information, please call the Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiology Department at (563) 568-3411 or visit our website at www.veteransmemorialhospital.com.
