Have you done your screening?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Have you seen your physician for your mammogram order?

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the US. Millions of women are living with breast cancer and survival rates have improved over time, in part, to early detection and advances in treatment.

If diagnosed early and treated before it spreads, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99 percent.

Risks for breast cancer in women:

have abnormal genes such as BRCA-1, BRCA-2, PALB-2

started menstrual period before age 12 or menopause after age 55

used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for more than 10 years

have a family history of breast, colon or ovarian cancer

have a personal history of ovarian cancer

using currently or recently used birth control pills

have not had any children or first child born after age 30

uses tobacco

Risks for breast cancer in women or men:

is overweight or obese

is not physically active

is over 40 for women or over age 60 for men

has already had breast cancer in one breast

has family history of breast or ovarian cancer

has had radiation therapy to the chest

Prevention of Breast Cancer:

if you have babies, breast feed them

exercise at least 30 minutes at least 5 days per week

limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men

maintain a healthy weight

don't smoke or if you do smoke, quit

Source: https://www.preventcancer.org/education/preventable-cancers/breast-cancer/