Each year in the United States, more than 200,000 women get breast cancer and more than 40,000 women die from the disease. Cancer is a disease in which cells grow out of control. When cancer starts in the breast, it is called breast cancer. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women.
Because of personal and family medical history, some women are at higher risk for breast cancer. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force is an organization made up of doctors and disease experts who look at research on the best way to prevent diseases and make recommendations on how doctors can help patients avoid diseases or find them early
The USPSTF recommends that women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years while women aged 40 to 49 years old should talk to their doctor or other health care professional about when to start and how often to get a mammogram.
How can I help?
The American Cancer Society has recognized October as breast cancer awareness month and hold events nationwide to walk in support of breast cancer awareness. Walk participants raise critical funds that enable the American Cancer Society to fund innovative research; provide free information and support to anyone touched by breast cancer; and help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable. For more information about how you can participate in fighting the war on breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society website.
Source: huffpost.com
