Actress Gabrielle Union, right, and her close friend and breast cancer survivor Kristen Martinez share a hug during the"In Living Pink" party. The yearly event raises money for the Young Survival Coalition, a network of breast cancer survivors and supporters. (AP Photo/Young Survival Coalition, Diane Bondareff)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Nearly 180,000 women in the United States will hear four small words this year that will change their lives forever: "You have breast cancer."

The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that some 40,400 of those with breast cancer will die from the disease.

People should learn all they can about breast cancer, detection, and treatment.

"The fact that we have Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a tribute to how far we have come," said Kady Davenport. She works for the American Cancer Society. "For a long time, breast cancer wasn't something people talked about. It was very taboo.

"Now, people are more educated and more comfortable talking about it," she said.

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States. Lung cancer is the first cause. It is also the second most common cancer in women, after skin cancer.

98% can be cured
The good news is that 98% of breast cancer patients will live if the disease is found early, Davenport said. Yearly mammograms help find breast cancer early when it can be treated and cured. Women over the age of 40 need to get tested once a year. Yet fewer women are going for mammograms. Studies are being done to find out why some women are not having this important test.

Davenport said that skipping a mammogram for a year or two can give a tumor time to grow. Women should have a breast exam by a health care professional every year. Self breast exams are another option. Women should ask their doctor or nurse to show them how to do a self exam the correct way. Doctors also use ultrasound to find breast cancers, Davenport said.

Prevent breast cancer by taking charge of your health. Make sure you have a mammogram each year.
Source: Aileen Wingblad for the Milford Times