1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. This is a really scary statistic, and most likely, you know someone who has been diagnosed with it. It is estimated that in 2023, 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. About 85% of breast cancers are in women with no family history of breast cancer.
The biggest risk factors for developing breast cancer include being female and growing older, two things that you have no control over. However, other things, such as not exercising regularly, smoking and drinking alcohol are all things that can be addressed, and can decrease your risk of developing breast cancer.
Fortunately, if breast cancer is found early, then it is frequently curable. In fact, the 5 year survival rate is 99%, when breast cancer is found at its earliest, localized stages. It is recommended that women do regular self breast exams, have an annual clinical breast exam done by your doctor, and yearly mammograms so that any breast cancer is found, and able to be treated, early.
