FAQ
Important Facts
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, accounting for 25% of all cancer cases.
In 2020, it was estimated that there were 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer worldwide.
Breast cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
In the United States, about 1 in 8 women (12%) will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
Breast cancer can occur in men, although it is much less common, with an estimated 2,650 new cases in 2020 in the United States.
Age is a major risk factor for breast cancer, with the risk increasing as women get older.
Other risk factors for breast cancer include a family history of the disease, certain genetic mutations, exposure to certain chemicals and radiation, and having dense breast tissue.
Regular mammograms can detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Treatment for breast cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these.
Many breast cancer survivors go on to live long and healthy lives, especially when the cancer is detected early and treated promptly.
Tips for Early Screening
Early screening can detect breast cancer before any symptoms appear, which increases the chances of successful treatment and survival.
Mammography is the most commonly used screening tool for breast cancer. It uses low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast tissue that can detect abnormalities, such as lumps or calcifications.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women with an average risk of breast cancer begin regular mammograms at age 40 and continue annually.
Women at higher risk of breast cancer, such as those with a family history of the disease, may need to begin screening earlier or have more frequent screenings.
In addition to mammography, other screening tools for breast cancer include clinical breast exams, breast self-exams, and breast MRI.
Women should talk to their healthcare provider about when to begin screening and how often to be screened, based on their individual risk factors.
Regular breast cancer screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by up to 40%.
Screening mammograms are covered by most health insurance plans in the United States, and many states require insurance companies to cover them with no copay or deductible.
Some helpful links and resources for additional information:
American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html)
National Breast Cancer Foundation (https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm)
Breastcancer.org (https://www.breastcancer.org/)
Susan G. Komen (https://ww5.komen.org/)
Breast Cancer Research Foundation (https://www.bcrf.org/)
Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer)
National Cancer Institute (https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast)
Breast Cancer Action (https://www.bcaction.org/)
Living Beyond Breast Cancer (https://www.lbbc.org/)
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, accounting for 25% of all cancer cases.
In 2020, it was estimated that there were 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer worldwide.
Breast cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
In the United States, about 1 in 8 women (12%) will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
Breast cancer can occur in men, although it is much less common, with an estimated 2,650 new cases in 2020 in the United States.
Age is a major risk factor for breast cancer, with the risk increasing as women get older.
Other risk factors for breast cancer include a family history of the disease, certain genetic mutations, exposure to certain chemicals and radiation, and having dense breast tissue.
Regular mammograms can detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Treatment for breast cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these.
Many breast cancer survivors go on to live long and healthy lives, especially when the cancer is detected early and treated promptly.
Tips for Early Screening
Early screening can detect breast cancer before any symptoms appear, which increases the chances of successful treatment and survival.
Mammography is the most commonly used screening tool for breast cancer. It uses low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast tissue that can detect abnormalities, such as lumps or calcifications.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women with an average risk of breast cancer begin regular mammograms at age 40 and continue annually.
Women at higher risk of breast cancer, such as those with a family history of the disease, may need to begin screening earlier or have more frequent screenings.
In addition to mammography, other screening tools for breast cancer include clinical breast exams, breast self-exams, and breast MRI.
Women should talk to their healthcare provider about when to begin screening and how often to be screened, based on their individual risk factors.
Regular breast cancer screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by up to 40%.
Screening mammograms are covered by most health insurance plans in the United States, and many states require insurance companies to cover them with no copay or deductible.
Some helpful links and resources for additional information:
American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html)
National Breast Cancer Foundation (https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm)
Breastcancer.org (https://www.breastcancer.org/)
Susan G. Komen (https://ww5.komen.org/)
Breast Cancer Research Foundation (https://www.bcrf.org/)
Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer)
National Cancer Institute (https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast)
Breast Cancer Action (https://www.bcaction.org/)
Living Beyond Breast Cancer (https://www.lbbc.org/)
