Why Give?
2008 Breast Cancer Facts – United States
- Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women.
- The most proven and significant risk factors for getting breast cancer are being female and getting older.
- An estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. during 2008.
- An estimated 1,990 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in the U.S. during 2008.
- An estimated 40,480 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in the U.S. during 2008.
- In the U.S., a woman has a 1 in 8 (12 percent) risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime.
- One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes, and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the U.S.
- The five-year survival rate for breast cancer, when caught early before it spreads beyond the breast, is now 98 percent (compared to 74 percent in 1982).
- Approximately 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are due to heredity. The majority of women with breast cancer have no known significant family history or other known risk factors.
- A woman’s chance of developing breast cancer increases with age. Approximately 95 percent of all breast cancers occur in women 40 years of age and older.
- Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths among women.
- The chance of a woman dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 33 (3 percent).
- African Americans have the highest death rate from breast cancer of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S.
- In the United States today, there are nearly 2.5 million breast cancer survivors – the largest group of cancer survivors in the country.
Education
- One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
- Breast cancer knows no boundaries – be it age, gender, socio-economic status or geographic location.
- The greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older.
- Early detection and effective treatment for breast cancer have been shown to improve survival.
- Making healthy lifestyle choices may reduce your risk of breast cancer.
- There are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today.
- Breast cancer affects more than just the patient–co-survivors (friends, family and co-workers) need support too.
Be Aware. Take Action.
Know your risk.
- Talk to your family to learn about your family health history.
- Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer.
Get screened.
- Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk.
- Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk.
- Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40.
Know what is normal for you.
- See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:
- Lump, hard knot or thickening
- Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
- Change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
- Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
- New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away
Make healthy lifestyle choices.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Add exercise into your routine
- Limit alcohol intake
