October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and according to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the second most common cancer afflicting women in America (besides skin cancer).
• The National Cancer Institute estimates on Breast Cancer in the United States in 2007:
New cases: 178,480 (female); 2,030 (male)
Deaths: 40,460 (female); 450 (male)
• According to the N.C. Carolina Central Cancer Registry in 2007, a projected 6,155 women in North Carolina will be diagnosed with breast cancer; 475 of those women will be from Mecklenburg County.
• Research has shown that several factors may increase the risk of developing breast cancer, including family history, age, genetics, and obesity. By making healthy lifestyle choices and exercising regularly, individuals can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. In addition to this, detecting cancer during the early stages largely increases chances of survival. Women are urged to give self breast exams as well as undergo regular mammograms in the hopes of decreasing the deaths caused by breast cancer.
This article appears in Oct 24-30, 2007.
