Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is safe to say that since January of 2020 not a day has gone by without mention of Covid being made by the media or it being the topic of dinner conversation. With Covid dominating our lives for almost 2 years, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that we are still faced with the same health challenges that existed pre-Covid.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month…. for very good reason.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be approximately 282,000 new cases of breast cancer in 2021. Surveillance research by the American Cancer Society demonstrates breast cancer to be the second most frequent cause of cancer death in women, with lung cancer being the most frequent.

Early detection and improved treatment have led to a decrease in the mortality associated with breast cancer which is wonderful. Do you know what would be even better? Decreasing the incidence of breast cancer.

A reduction in the incidence of breast cancer can be accomplished, at least in part, by minimizing risk factors associated with breast cancer in individuals.

While there are some breast cancer risk factors of which we have no control: being female, getting older, having BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genetic mutations, there are many risk factors which we can impact.

Obesity, smoking, alcohol, and physical inactivity are all factors which increase the risk of developing breast cancer. All of these risk factors are ones which we can impact by making lifestyle changes.

While Covid 19 may be the talk of 2020 and 2021, don’t forget that October of EVERY YEAR is breast cancer awareness month.