OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Since 1985, October has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It started with a joint partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca) to help bring awareness to breast cancer and promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer.

According to Living Beyond Breast Cancer®—a national nonprofit that provides trusted support and a community of support—”Individuals, businesses, and communities have come together every October to show their support for the many people affected by breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be a time to reflect, give back, or even celebrate.”

In 2022, an estimated 290,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. In 2022, an estimated 2,720 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S.  Did you know that as you age, the risk of several types of breast cancer increases. According to the National Cancer Institute, women 70 and older have a 1 in 24 chance of developing breast cancer at some point in their lives. Men can also get breast cancer. But there is good news!

Advances in diagnosis and treatment plans increase the odds of recovery. It’s also been found that healthy, active patients have the best chance of a good outcome—yet another good reason why seniors must stay active! (Need some ideas for staying active? Check out the Summit Pointe newsletter and calendar of events.)

Here’s a little bit more good news—in recent years, incidence rates have increased by 0.5% per year. So stay active, eat healthy and get your annual mammograms!