The whole month of October every year is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness. It is a known fact that breast cancer is indeed a silent killer of many women. To learn all about breast cancer, including the facts you’ll need to be aware of, the early diagnosis, and diagnostic imaging tests that are helping to save millions of women lives around the world.
The Facts
Did you know that almost a third (30%) of all new cancer cases that are detected in women every year are from breast cancer? Approximately 15% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. And this is just in the United States. The global percentage is much higher. In January 2020, there were over 3.5 million women that were afflicted with breast cancer in the U.S that included those that were undergoing treatment and those that had completed their treatment, as per statistics by the American Cancer Society.
Catch it Early
You’ll be in a great position in terms of recovery if you are diagnosed with breast cancer while it’s still in the early stages. There is often little hope for women whose breast cancer has metastasized. The numbers speak the truth. Almost all women (99%) who are diagnosed with breast cancer early on will still be living five years or more after they have received treatment.
It’s easy to tell if you have the early stages of breast cancer. All you do is feel your breasts every month for unusual lumps, extreme tenderness, or unusual (sometimes bloody) discharge. Since you are probably not medically trained to detect breast cancer, it’s important to have your OBGYN check you during your annual wellness visit. You also need to have a yearly mammogram after you turn 40.
The Best Way to Diagnose Breast Cancer
The diagnostic mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer. It’s generally ordered after your screening mammogram has indicated that you are likely in the early stages of breast cancer. It uses stress on certain key areas of the breast where certain abnormal lumps and other growths were detected. These types of mammograms thoroughly examine every area of the breast and in detail. With cutting edge diagnostic tools, detection of cancer is the first step towards treatment and recovery.
You’ve Already Won Most of the Battle
If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, the only thing left for you to do is to receive treatment. This generally consists of a combination of chemotherapy and medicines. The goal of the treatment is to send the cancer into remission. And Breast Cancer Awareness Month has globally contributed to creating awareness among women to get the diagnostic mammogram done as they age.