A Condition of Major Concern
Because it receives so much media attention from tie-ins with such sponsors as the National Football League, Estee Lauder, Clinique, the Susan G. Komen Fund and others, many people are aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But when it comes to what can be a fatal disease, there’s no such thing as too much awareness.
Women are usually the victims of breast cancer, with the National Cancer Institute estimating that 298,000 were diagnosed with this disease in 2023 and more than 43,000 died from it. However, an estimated 2,800 men were expected to be diagnosed as well, with 530 deaths during the year.
A Common Disease
Breast cancer is the most common type of non-skin cancer among women in the nation, with 15% of all new cases linked to breast cancer. It is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer deaths for women. And, in May of 2023 the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force – an independent, volunteer panel of experts in disease prevention – recommended all women get screened for breast cancer every other year, starting at age 40. That is a decade earlier than a previous recommendation.
Breast cancer occurs in many forms. The most common is invasive ductal carcinoma, which accounts for 80% of all diagnosed breast cancer. It starts in the milk ducts of the breast and moves into nearby tissue. In time, it can spread through the lymph nodes or the bloodstream to other areas of the body. Ductal carcinoma is also the most common type of male breast cancer.
Take Action
Talk with Your Doctor
Go get checked. Talk with your primary care provider about getting a mammogram or other screening tests that can detect any potential problems.
Consider a Gift
Also, if you have a loved one or friend who is suffering from breast cancer, consider organizing an event or fundraiser to help attack this dreaded disease. You may also want to consider donating to our Good Samaritan Cancer Fund, which helps patients who are struggling to pay for their medication, transportation to appointments, hotel stays for long visits, and other costs.
Get Involved in Central Appalachia
Each year we hold a massive fundraiser to help cancer patients called Path to the Cure. Find out more. We would love to have you get involved and build a team.
