I wrote this article for the Good News in October 2007.  I feel that this is such an important subject I decided to repeat it.  I have added a few facts at the end of the article that I have learned since then

   October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of death after lung cancer.

2/3 of the women with breast cancer are over the age of 50, the remaining 1/3 are between ages 39 – 49.

   No one knows why so many women develop breast cancer.  There are a few risk factors: age – the risk is greater as a woman gets older, genes, being overweight, using hormonal replacement therapy, taking birth control pills, drinking alcohol, not having children, or having your first child after age 35.

   Men can develop breast cancer, but they account for less than ½ of 1% of all cases.

   Breast cancer is treatable if found early.  Ways of finding breast cancer is done with monthly self-breast exams and after age 40, yearly mammograms.  At the present time there is no reason why any woman should not have mammogram.  All State Medicaid programs cover mammogram screening.  Also, Medicare covers a mammogram screening every 12 months for all women with Medicare age 40 or older.  Medicare also pays for a health professional breast exam every 24 months along with a pelvic exam.

   What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?  The most common sign is a lump or mass.  A mass that is painless, hard, and has irregular edges is likely to be cancerous.  These masses should be checked by a health professional.  Other signs and symptoms are swelling of all or part of a breast, skin irritation, breast or nipple pain, nipple retraction or the nipple is turning inward, redness of the nipple, or a discharge.  Sometimes the lymph nodes in the underarm area are involved.  Any swollen areas should be reported to a health professional.

   Treatment may consist of radiation, lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

   A woman facing a breast cancer diagnosis will feel very overwhelmed.  Thoughts of disfigurement, loss of hair from chemotherapy, or even death are definitely big issues.  Learning to relax and reduce stress is important.  It is important to seek medical help if unable to cope with these issues.  Maintaining a positive attitude will help promote a better physical, emotional, and spiritual outlook on life.

   According to the Komen Breast Cancer Center, there are more than 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States today.  The survival rate has increased from 80% in the 1950’s to 98% today.  For the past two years, the breast cancer death rate has dropped about 2% in all women combined with even larger decreases in women under the age of 50.  In spite of these good reports, breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women.  Even though African-American women are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than white women; they are more likely to die from the disease.