October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Compassion in Healthcare,Healthcare Careers,Healthcare Data,Stay Healthy Working in Healthcare
Written by
Miranda Kay, RN
October 4, 2022

When is breast cancer awareness month? October! Light it up Pink in October for breast cancer awareness month. In 1995, October was declared to be breast cancer awareness month. But why is breast cancer awareness important? If you're interested in learning more, this article will provide statistics and information to help raise more awareness and teach more people about breast cancer. The occurrence of breast cancer also brings rise to the awareness of the need for oncology nurses.

Breast cancer impacts everyone differently. Breast cancer can be an emotional challenge as well as a physical one. Coping with the emotional stress and strain of a diagnosis, people with breast cancer find that the treatment challenges are not easy. Breast cancer survivors experience physical symptoms and psychological distress that affect their quality of life. Even quality of life after treatment has long-lasting effects that last for years after therapy ends.

What Is Breast Cancer

Breast cancer occurs when there is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast tissue. Breast cancer is the term for a malignant tumor developed from cells in the breast. Furthermore, cancerous cells may also invade nearby tissue in the breast and even the underarm lymph nodes. Cancer cells get into the lymph nodes and then have a pathway into other body parts. 85-90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities. This happens due to aging, and the body wears out over time.

What types of breast cancer are there? The first type of breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma. These cancer cells begin in the ducts and grow outside into other parts of the breast tissue. The second type is invasive lobular carcinoma. There are different, less common kinds of breast cancer like Paget's, inflammatory breast cancer, medullary, and mucinous.

What are the risk factors? Studies show that your risk for breast cancer is due to a combination of factors. Risks like getting older, genetic mutation, and reproductive history are threats that cannot be avoided or changed. Some risk factors that can be avoided include not being physically active, obesity, drinking alcohol, and smoking can all be avoided, decreasing the likelihood of getting breast cancer. Who is at high risk for breast cancer? Those with a family history of breast cancer may have a higher chance of getting breast or ovarian cancer. Know your risk, check your family history, and look over the factors in your life that might increase the risk of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Statistics

About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop breast cancer throughout their lifetime. One person every 12 minutes in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. A man's risk of breast cancer is 1 in 833, and the estimated number of deaths of men with breast cancer is 530. How many people die of breast cancer each year? With steady death rates, 43,250 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2022 from breast cancer. What are the signs to look out for? Here are four signs of cancer that everyone should know. Read on to ensure your health and the health of others.

  • Unexplained lumps
  • Thickening or swelling of the breast
  • Flaky or reddened skin in the nipple area or the breast
  • Discharge from the nipple that is not milk and might be blood
  • Breast pain
  • Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
  • Lumps in the underarm area

Breast cancer symptoms vary widely. Many cancers have no apparent symptoms at all. In some cases, the first sign of breast cancer is a new lump noticed in the breast tissue. Often, a cancerous lump is painless, hard, and consists of uneven edges. However, other cancer tumors in the breast can be soft, round, and tender. in the breast that you or your doctor can feel.   

What Is The Goal of Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast cancer could affect your life no matter where you are or who you are. The annual campaign aims to raise as much awareness of this disease as possible. Breast Cancer Awareness Month's early goal was to educate those susceptible to breast cancer and encourage tests for early detection. Another goal is to increase the support and funds to aid in life-saving research and life-changing support.

It's time for action! Nursa wants to help educate those on breast cancer awareness. We want more people to be aware of the risks and take the steps necessary to prevent them. 

Blog published on:
October 4, 2022

Miranda is a Registered Nurse, Medical Fact Checker, and Publishing Editor at Nursa. Her work has been featured in publications including the American Nurses Association (ANA), Healthcare IT Outcomes, International Living, and more.

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