Each October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an international health campaign led by world-renowned organizations.
These institutions work hard to raise awareness about the disease, educate and prevent it.
They also seek to raise funds for the study of the causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of this disease.
During this awareness month, there are specific dates to raise awareness about the disease.
- October 9 is World Palliative and Sensitive Care Day.
- Oct. 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
- October 15 is National Mammography Day.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States.
African American women have a higher mortality rate from this disease than white women.
In 2019, the latest year for which incidence data are available, 264,121 new cases of female breast cancer were reported in the United States, and 42 280 women died from it.
For every 100,000 women, 130 new cases of female breast cancer were reported and 19 women died from the cancer, according to U.S. Cancer Statistics.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the growth and multiplication of malignant (cancerous) cells in breast tissue.
According to the American Cancer Society, it is the second most common form of cancer in American women.
Symptoms of breast cancer
The signs of this disease can be similar to those associated with other medical conditions.
See your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- A lump or swelling in or near the breast, including under the arm,
- Change in the size or shape of the breast,
- Thickening of the breast tissue toward the top,
- Inverted nipple (nipple turned inward),
- Having discharge from a nipple, especially bloody nipple,
- Breast pain or tenderness,
- Dimpled or wrinkled breast skin,
- Scaly or reddened breast or nipple skin,
- Screening, diagnosis and staging.
Accurate and correct diagnosis is essential for proper treatment.
Unconditional Support from Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Center has a team of experts working together to provide compassionate, comprehensive care for cancer patients.
The institute has a team of physicians and nurses who specialize in breast cancer care and rely on the latest discoveries to provide highly advanced patient care.
They are also leaders in breast reconstruction and are committed to providing personalized treatment options.
Dana-Farber Cancer Center has the full range of services of a world-class hospital and cancer research center.
In addition, it provides access to social workers, psychiatry, integrative therapies, pain specialists, nutritionists, and exercise physiologists.
It also has fertility specialists who have unique expertise in providing care to women who are battling cancer and have concerns about future fertility.
Visit the Dana – Farber Cancer Institute table and learn about all of the breast cancer screening and prevention programs.
Disclaimer:
Information on the My Health Fair website should not be construed as professional advice or medical recommendations.Readers should direct any questions regarding personal health care to licensed physicians or other appropriate health care professionals.