Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S. More than 240,000 people get breast cancer every year, and more than 40,000 people die from it. The good news is: The sooner breast cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.
Who gets breast cancer?
Anyone can get breast cancer — whether you have a chest or breasts.
You may have a higher chance of getting breast cancer if:
- You were assigned female at birth.
- You’ve had breast, ovarian, tubal, primary peritoneal, prostate, or pancreatic cancer.
- You have a blood relative who’s had breast, ovarian, tubal, primary peritoneal, prostate, or pancreatic cancer.
- You have a blood relative who is a breast cancer gene carrier.
Disparities in breast cancer:
Access to high-quality health care is severely limited in communities that have been historically marginalized by systemic racism and discrimination — leaving many preventable illnesses untreated. This worsens health outcomes, for example :
- Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than other races/ethnicities.
- Latina/Latinx women are more likely to be diagnosed with less treatable types of breast cancer at a younger age and are 30% more likely to die from breast cancer compared to non-Latina/Latinx white women.
- Asian, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander women are least likely to have frequent breast screenings or mammograms compared with other races/ethnicities.
- One in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish women have a higher rate of gene mutations, which leads to a higher risk of breast cancer.
Knowing how breast cancer affects our communities helps us support and advocate for each other to get the care we all need.
How can I prevent breast cancer?
You can’t prevent breast cancer, but there are ways to catch it early, when it’s most treatable. This includes things like getting clinical breast exams, mammograms, and checking your chest/breasts often so you’ll notice any changes. Certain healthy habits (that you already may be doing!) can also lower your risk of breast cancer.
Where can I get screened for breast cancer?
You can get screened by a nurse or doctor, like the expert staff at your nearest Planned Parenthood health center. These screenings are also usually part of your annual wellness exam. Most health insurance plans cover free yearly wellness exams. Even if you don’t have health insurance, the staff at your nearest Planned Parenthood health center can talk with you about affordable options to get the care you need.
Remember to get screened this October, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Let’s support each other in taking care of our breast and chest health, together.
Tags: breasts, cancer screening, breast cancer, chest