Be Breast Cancer Aware this October

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Pink ribbons. Pink shoe laces. Pink t-shirts. Pink. Pink. Pink. Pay attention to the pink because there is generally are story behind the pink. And more than likely it has to do with a person or loved one being affected by breast cancer. One in every eight women have breast cancer in their lifetime. 

Help us spread awareness about this all too common disease.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Every year, about 200,000 new cases of breast cancer are reported nationwide and more than 40,000 women die from ihe disease. Getting mammograms regularly can help prevent breast cancer.

University Family Medicine Center supports breast cancer surveillance and research and provides breast exams to our patients. In 2010, an estimated 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 54,010 new cases of noninvasive breast cancer.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. The growth becomes uncontrollable without treatment, ultimately resulting in the formation of a tumor. A tumor can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Related to this description, a cancer growth can also be noninvasive (confined to the infected area) or invasive (spread to surrounding breast tissue), which determines the severity of disease upon detection.

Are you worried about breast cancer or have a family history of it? Schedule an appointment for a breast exam and talk to your doctor about how it can affect you and your family.