PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 01: A pink 25-foot ribbon scupture made up of Aerie bras is on display outside of Heinz Field as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 1, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
The month of October is colored pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From fundraisers to walks, people take the time to celebrate the lives of people who have been affected by the disease. In order to heighten awareness and encourage people to get screened, here are 31 facts about breast cancer. One for each day of the month of October!
- There are currently more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
- Breast cancer isn’t a ladies-only disease. Men can get it too! According to City of Hope, about 1 in 1,000 men are diagnosed annually.
- As estimated by the American Cancer Society, 2.8 million women have a history of breast cancer.
- The American Cancer Society also reports that breast cancer accounts for 29 percent of diagnosed cancers in a year.
- Women among the ages of 40 to 70 can reduce the number of deaths due to breast cancers by 30 to 40% with annual mammograms.
- 5 to 10% of breast cancer strains can be linked back to an inherited gene mutation says City of Hope. These specific include the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene.
- It’s important for breast cancer survivors to work out frequently! A study that was published in Cancer reports that only a third of cancer survivors continue to do physical activity. Don’t be afraid to sweat, our friends!
- If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, try to cut back on drinking. It is recommended to only have one glass of wine or one cup of beer or booze per day.
- The causes of breast cancer are currently unknown. However, there are risk factors that may put you’re at a higher risk. These include: a person’s age, genetic factors, personal health history, and diet says Web MD.
- Exercising is not only good for survivors, but will help people reduce their risk of developing the disease. 30 to 150 minutes of physical activity has been proven to be effective reports Leslie Bernstein Ph.D. from City of Hope.
- For those who have a mastectomy, 42% of women choose to have reconstructive surgery states a JAMA Surgery study.
- Conducting a monthly breast exam can be life saving. If you notice a change breast tissue or lumps, contact a doctor immediately.
- Diagnosed with cancer? Do not freak out! We know, it’s a lot easier said than done. The best bet is to get a second opinion.
- About 255,0180 new cases of breast cancer will occur in 2017. Sadly, about 40,610 women will pass away from the disease this year.
- The death toll from breast cancer has dropped drastically from 1989, especially with women under the age of 50. BreastCancer.org reports that through the help of “treatment advancements, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness” the numbers were able to drop.
- Approximately 15% of women who have a family member who has had breast cancer will also get the disease.
- Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers that women are diagnosed with. Out of the women who are diagnosed with cancer, 30% of them will have breast cancer.
- Another cancer that is popular in women is skin cancer. Wear your sunscreen!
- Cancer death rates from breast cancer is higher than any other cancer death rates. Death from lung cancer is also high in women.
- If you have a higher risk of breast cancer, talk to your doctor about mammograms. You may need to increase the amount of times you have your breast scanned.
- City of Hope reports that “fewer than 1 percent of the general population have the BRCA mutation.”
- Those women who come from a Ashkenazi Jewish heritage are more at risk of having the BRCA mutation.
- Non-Hispanic white women and African American also are at higher risk of getting breast cancer.
- The National Cancer Institute states that a women born today has a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
- Breast cancer survivors are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Due to the reduce in estrogen, bones can become brittle.
- Finding a lump in your breast can be alarming, but not every bump is cancerous! According to the National Cancer Foundation, about 8 out of 10 lumps are benign. Those lumps can either be cysts, benign tumors, blood clots, scar tissues, or a nodule says Everyday Health.
- Risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer does increase with age. Everyday Health says for women 20 years old, the risk is 1 in 1,760. Women who are 70, the risk drastically increases to 1 in 27.
- If you breasts are in pain, it is does not mean that it is linked to breast cancer. Most pain is due to hormonal charges from your menstrual cycle.
- Even though it is thought to occur in your fatty tissue, breast cancer develops in the dense part of your breast. This can make it harder to spot the cancer on a mammogram. If you believe that you have an issue, it is recommended to undergo an ultrasound or a breast MRI.
- A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 29 seconds around the women and every 2 minutes in the United States.
- Make sure to eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily. Try to reduce your intake of red meat and choose whole grains!
Sarah is a Hufflepuff living in NYC. When she is not traveling or talking to random animals, she is working as a script writer. Tweet her at @lumpyspacederp