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Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 2023

Published on 

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

 | Miscellaneous 

Did You Know?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month was first celebrated in October 1985 as partnership between the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries (now AstraZeneca).

 

Chances are you; a family member, close friend or acquaintance has been impacted by breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the CDC, each year:

  • About 240,000 women in the United States get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease,
  • Men can also get breast cancer, but it is not common. About one out of every one hundred breast cancers diagnoses in the United States is found in a man, and
  • While most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, breast cancer also affects younger women.

 

Why Should You Care?

Even though family history increases the risk of breast cancer, most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known family history of the disease. Early detection allows for a higher chance of cure. Mammography is used to detect breast cancer and is one of many Preventative Services covered by Medicare.

 

What Can I Do?

 

Know Ways to Lower Your Risk for Breast Cancer

The CDC details thing you can do to help lower your risk of breast cancer including:

  • Keep a health weight and exercise regularly,
  • Choose not to drink alcohol, or drink alcohol in moderation,
  • If you are taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, ask your doctor about the risks, and
  • Breastfeed your children, if possible.

     

    Know the Warning Signs of Breast Cancer

    While there are different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people have no symptoms at all, symptoms can include:

  • Any change in the size or shape of the breast,
  • Pain in any area of the breast,
  • Nipple discharge other than breast mild (including blood),
  • A new lump in the breast or underarm, thickening or swelling or part of the breast,
  • Irritation or dimpling of the breast,
  • Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area of the breast.

 

Be Your Own Patient Advocate

If you have any signs or symptoms that worry you, follow-up with a health care provider as soon as possible.

 

Talk to your health care provider about when and how often to get a screening mammogram. If you are worried about the cost, the CDC’s National Breast Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) (https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm) provides breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to women who have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured.

Article Author: Beth Cobb, RN, BSN, ACM, CCDS
Beth Cobb, RN, BSN, ACM, CCDS, is the Manager of Clinical Analytics at Medical Management Plus, Inc. Beth has over twenty-five years of experience in healthcare including eleven years in Case Management at a large multi-facility health system. In her current position, Beth is a principle writer for MMP’s Wednesday@One weekly e-newsletter, an active member of our HIPAA Compliance Committee, MMP’s Education Department Program Director and co-developer of MMP’s proprietary Compliance Protection Assessment Tool.

This material was compiled to share information.  MMP, Inc. is not offering legal advice. Every reasonable effort has been taken to ensure the information is accurate and useful.