Did you know that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women? Yet how much do you actually know about it? Well here are 10 facts that you probably don’t know, but should, about breast cancer.
1. Men also get breast cancer
99% of breast cancer cases occur in women. This means that while breast cancer in men is very rare, it does occur. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.
2. Breast cancer is the second biggest killer
As if you needed another reason to stop smoking or vaping, lung cancer is the number one leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Breast cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among women.
3. Get yourself tested! Regularly
Women who get regularly screened for breast cancer have a 47% lower risk of dying from the disease compared to those who don’t.
4. The numbers sound bad, but are getting better
Every minute, somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer. That’s more than 1,400 women every day. BUT breast cancer deaths have been declining since 1990 thanks to early detection, better screening, increased awareness, and new treatment options.
5. What is breast cancer? And what causes it?
Breast cancer is the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being female and aging. A woman’s risk for developing breast cancer increases as she gets older.
6. The odds of getting breast cancer
12% of women – or 1 in 8 – develop breast cancer. A woman’s risk for developing breast cancer almost doubles if her mother, sister, or daughter has breast cancer.
7. You cannot prevent it, but you can decrease your risk
Breast cancer cannot be prevented, but there are things such as diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle choices that can help decrease your risk for developing breast cancer (like weight loss, quit smoking, being active, stop drinking alcohol…)
8. Symptoms aren’t the same for everyone
Breast cancer warning signs and breast cancer symptoms can vary greatly. However, don’t assume that you are cancer free because you do not have the typical symptoms. Some women with breast cancer don’t have symptoms at all. This makes regular breast cancer screenings especially important.
9. Mammograms save lives
Mammograms are proven to reduce the rate of death from breast cancer. Experts recommend annual screening mammograms for women starting at age 40.
10. The Cancer Association of Namibia Also known as CAN, these wonderful people dedicate their lives to lead the fight against cancer and its consequences countrywide for the benefit of all Namibians by supporting research; health education and information; care and support services. You can read more about what they do and how you can help at www.can.org.na
Moonlight Candy Team