Preventive Care
Breast Cancer Awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — but awareness shouldn't stop when the calendar turns. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, and early detection remains the most powerful tool we have. Here are the facts, the steps, and the conversations every family should be having.
The Facts Every Woman Should Know
About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In 2024, an estimated 310,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women. The good news: when detected early — at the localized stage — the 5-year survival rate is 99%. That number drops significantly when cancer is found at a later stage. Early detection saves lives.
Know Your Risk Factors
While any woman can develop breast cancer, certain factors increase risk: being female and getting older, having a personal or family history of breast cancer, carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, dense breast tissue, early menstruation (before 12) or late menopause (after 55), never having been pregnant, and long-term use of hormone replacement therapy. Knowing your risk helps you and your doctor make informed decisions about screening.
Mammograms: When to Start
The American Cancer Society recommends that women with average risk begin annual mammograms at age 45, with the option to start at 40. Women at higher risk — due to family history, genetic factors, or prior radiation therapy — should talk to their doctor about starting earlier and potentially adding MRI screening. Don't wait for symptoms to schedule your first mammogram.
Breast Self-Exams
While self-exams are no longer formally recommended as a screening tool, knowing how your breasts normally look and feel is important. Report any changes to your doctor promptly: a new lump or thickening, changes in size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin, nipple discharge (especially if bloody), or redness or scaling. You know your body — trust it.
Talk to Your Doctor
The most important step you can take is having an honest conversation with your healthcare provider about your personal risk, your screening schedule, and any concerns you have. Don't let fear, cost, or time keep you from that conversation. Many community health centers offer free or low-cost mammograms. Your life is worth the appointment.
Key Takeaways
- 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer — early detection gives a 99% survival rate
- Know your personal risk factors and share them with your doctor
- Annual mammograms are recommended starting at age 40–45
- Know your body — report any changes to your doctor promptly
- Free and low-cost mammograms are available at community health centers