Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It is about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year. In fact, The American Cancer Society estimates that about 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the US in 2022.

Although one of the most common, breast cancer is also one of the most successfully treated types of cancer, especially if caught early on. Given the more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States and collective high 5-year relative survival rates, there’s hope for those receiving diagnoses that they will continue to live happy, healthy, cancer-free lives post-treatment.

It’s important for women to understand how to manage risk when it comes to breast cancer. Talking with your healthcare provider about a screening strategy that’s right for you is a necessary first step in prevention. Your healthcare provider can help you assess your individualized risk factors and determine a screening schedule. Dependent on risk factors, some women choose to:

• Start getting screened at a younger age
• Get screened more often
• Get screened with both mammograms and MRIs (a type of scan that creates detailed images of areas inside the body)

To learn more about breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society website. Those who are facing breast cancer can even connect with someone who’s been in their shoes with the Breast Cancer Support Network – Reach to Recovery program.

Whether you are interested in learning about risk factors, prevention, detection or have received a diagnosis, On Demand is here to support you. Call or schedule your yearly Well-Woman visit to our offices.

References

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2022. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2022.