AgriLifeExtensionOctober is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to spreading awareness about the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer and second leading cause of all cancer deaths in women (after lung cancer).

Men — don’t go anywhere! Although the disease predominantly affects the gals, you guys are NOT immune.

According to the American Cancer Society, in 2012:

  • An estimated 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the United States.
  • About 2,190 men in the United States will be diagnosed with the disease.
  • An estimated 39,920 people will die from breast cancer (39,510 women and 410 men).
  • The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99 percent among individuals whose cancer has not spread beyond the breast at the time of diagnosis.

Risk Factors:

The most important risk factors are being female and increasing age. Other important factors include certain inherited genetic mutations (BRCA1 and/or BRCA2), a personal or family history of breast cancer, extremely high breast-tissue density as seen on mammograms, biopsy-confirmed atypical hyperplasia, a history of high-dose radiation therapy to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30, and having Li-Fraumeni or Cowden syndromes.

Additional risk factors include being of Ashkenazi Jewish decent, having a long menstrual history, being overweight or becoming obese after menopause, recent use of oral contraceptives, use of postmenopausal hormone therapy, never having children or having one’s first child after 30, consumption of one or more alcoholic beverages per day, and being physically inactive.

Health Strategies

Breast cancer cannot be prevented, which is why regular mammograms are so important, but you can take steps to put your health first, lower your risk of developing the disease, and take control of your breast health:

  • If you’re 40 or older, get a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year. Report breast changes to your doctor right away.
  • Maintain a healthy body weight and eat a healthy diet.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Limit your alcohol intake.

If you’re due (or overdue) for a breast cancer screening, schedule one today.If you’re not due or overdue (YAY!), encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to schedule theirs.