Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Have You Had Your Annual Mammogram?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

(BCAM), also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

NBCAM wa\s founded in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca, producer of several anti-breast cancer drugs). The aim of the NBCAM from the start has been to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer.

In 1993 Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estée Lauder Companies founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol, though this was not the first time the ribbon was used to symbolize breast cancer. In the fall of 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation had handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors.

A variety of events around the world are organized in October, including walks and runs, and the pink illumination of landmark buildings. In the United States, the National Football League promotes breast cancer awareness by incorporating pink on and off the field, and comic strip artists use pink on one day in October. (1)

What are the key statistics about breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. About 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2021 are:

• About 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women. • About 49,290 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed (DCIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer). • About 43,600 women will die from breast cancer

After increasing for more than 2 decades, female breast cancer incidence rates began decreasing in 2000, then dropped by about 7% from 2002 to 2003. This large decrease was thought to be due to the decline in use of hormone therapy after menopause that occurred after the results of the Women’s Health Initiative were published in 2002. This study linked the use of hormone therapy to an increased risk of breast cancer and heart diseases. Incidence rates have been stable in recent years.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman’s death is about 1 in 36 (about 3%). Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1989, with larger decreases in women younger than 50. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.

At this time there are more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. (This includes women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.) (3)

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. Take action to increase awareness about breast cancer and breast cancer screenings.

• 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. • Display posters about breast cancer screening in your organization’s break room. • Ask health professionals from your local hospital or clinic to share information about mammograms and early detection with your employees or members. • Distribute materials about breast cancer screening at a local health fair. • Partner with local women’s organizations, community groups, and senior centers to reach women ages 40 and older with important information on breast cancer screening.

• Host a breast cancer walk with your organization’s members. (2) Sources: (1) Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Breast_Cancer_ Awareness_Month (2) American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/ detailedguide/breast-cancer-key-statistics (3) Susan G. Komen Foundation: http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/ UnderstandingBreastCancer.html