October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and here at The SHAW Center we take the importance of breast cancer awareness and educating our patients on its impact very seriously. Nearly 12 percent of women in the U.S. will be affected by breast cancer at some point in their lives, and because it’s so common it’s extremely vital to know even the basics of this reality. Below we have some true or false statements to shed some light and clear up some common misconceptions once and for all.
True OR False? Breast Cancer Only Affects Women
False. Each year there are over 2,000 men who become diagnosed with breast cancer, and the cancer can lead to death in 1 out of 5 of those men. So while breast cancer is more common in women, it can still affect men in a drastic way.
True OR False? Breast Cancer is the Second Leading Cause of Death for Women
True. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Annually, over 40,000 women in the United States pass due to breast cancer.
True OR False? There are Almost 3 Million Breast Cancer Survivors in the U.S. Today
True. Each year over 240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and while breast cancer is a leading cause of death for women, there are still many that defeat the cancer.
True OR False: Breast Cancer is Contagious
False. While a percentage of breast cancer is thought to be hereditary, breast cancer is not an airborne disease that you can catch from someone or something else. That being said, practicing a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer.
True OR False? A Lump on the Breast Means Breast Cancer
False. Not all lumps found on a breast are linked to breast cancer, and only small amounts actually are. While it is still important to have any unusual or concerning lumps checked out by a doctor, thankfully it may not always result in breast cancer.
For more information, please visit: www.nationalbreastcancer.org