Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection, and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease. In 2021, over 255,000 new cases of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed, and approximately 42,000 of women will die from breast cancer in the U.S. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. Currently, there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer; therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option.
The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. According to the 2019 National Health Center Data, over 800,000 patients received a mammogram. A mammogram is a screening test for breast cancer that can help find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Make a difference! Spread the word about mammograms and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved. How can National Breast Cancer Awareness Month make a difference? We can use this opportunity to spread the word about steps women can take to detect breast cancer early. Here are just a few ideas:
Ask doctors and nurses to speak to women about the importance of getting screened for breast cancer.
Encourage women ages 40 to 49 to talk with their doctors about when to start getting mammograms.
Organize an event to talk with women ages 50 to 74 in your community about getting mammograms every 2 years.
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