Breast Cancer Awareness Month in TX: The resources, events, and numbers to know

Experts say this month is about screening and early detection. One in eight women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), an annual worldwide campaign to promote regular screening and early detection.

Nationwide, more than 380,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), which is more than 1,000 per day. About 42,000 will die from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meaning about 5 women will be lost to breast cancer every hour. Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancer.

Breast cancer is also found in men: "About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man," according to the CDC. "Non-Hispanic Black men have the highest breast cancer incident rate," according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Most men who are diagnosed are in their 60s or older. The CDC has a list of symptoms, risk factors, how to reduce your risk, and treatment options on its website.

"Black women remain more likely to die from breast cancer than women of any other racial or ethnic group," according to BreastCancer.Org, and LGBTQ women "may have a higher risk of breast cancer than heterosexual women." In Texas, Non-Hispanic White and Black women had the highest rates of breast cancer, according to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

The majority of deaths occur in low- and middle-income families, where most women who develop breast cancer are often diagnosed in late stages of the disease. This is mostly due to a lack of awareness of early detection and potential barriers to accessing certain health services.

However, through early detection, the 5-year relative survival rate for localized cancer that hasn't spread is 90%, according to the American Cancer Society.

An estimated 1,052,732 Texans are cancer survivors, according to the DSHS. That's 3.5 percent of the population. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the state.

There are about 4 million breast cancer survivors nationwide, including women receiving treatment.

There are Breast & Cervical Cancer services offered at JPS Health facilities in Tarrant County and Parkland Health facilities in Dallas County. The program's goal: "to help women receive quality and accessible cancer screenings and health services," according to their website. "Regular screening is the best method to detect breast or cervical cancer in its earliest stages."

"There are parts of Texas that may require multiple hours of travel to find a higher-quality screening and treatment facility," according to the NBCF. The first BCAM was in 1985, according to the NBCF, and the pink ribbon became the universal symbol for awareness in 1992. It's now a global campaign. Breast cancer death rates in the U.S. have dropped by 44% since the campaign began.

Many breast cancer symptoms are invisible and hard to notice without a professional screening, but professionals recommend a monthly breast self-exam to identify any changes or lumps.

According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 40% of diagnosed breast cancers are first detected by women who feel a lump.

What are the symptoms and signs of breast cancer?

• A change in how the breast or nipple feels
• A change in the breast or nipple appearance
• Any type of nipple discharge—particularly clear discharge or bloody discharge
• Skin irritation, such as redness, thickening, or dimpling of the skin
• Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit

Every person should know the symptoms and signs of breast cancer, and any time an abnormality is discovered, it should be looked at by a healthcare professional.

The American Cancer Society’s recommendations for early detection of breast cancer for women of average risk include:

• Ages 40-44: Women should have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
• Ages 45-54: Women should get a mammogram every year.
• Women age 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year or choose to continue annual mammograms.

All women should understand what to expect when getting a mammogram for breast cancer screening – what the test can and cannot do.

What are the early signs of metastatic breast cancer?

Metastatic breast cancer (also called stage IV) is breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body, most commonly the liver, brain, bones, or lungs.

• According to breastcancer.org, the most common symptom of breast cancer that has spread to the bone is a sudden, noticeable new pain. Breast cancer can spread to any bone, but most often spreads to the ribs, spine, pelvis, or the long bones in the arms and legs.
• When breast cancer moves into the lung, it often doesn’t cause many symptoms. If a lung metastasis does cause noticeable symptoms, it may include pain or discomfort in the lung, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough.
• Symptoms of breast cancer that has spread to the brain can include headache, changes in speech or vision, memory problems, and others.
• When breast cancer spreads to the liver, it often doesn’t cause many noticeable symptoms. If a liver metastasis does cause symptoms, it can include pain or discomfort in the midsection, fatigue, weight loss or poor appetite, and fever.

There are a wide variety of treatment options for metastatic breast cancer, and new medicines are being developed every day.

How can I lower my risk of developing breast cancer?

Although there is no sure way to fully prevent breast cancer, the National Breast Cancer Foundation recommends that women do these things to lower the risk:

• Staying physically active: Exercising regularly has been linked with lowering breast cancer risk.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Weight gain as an adult is linked with a higher risk of developing breast cancer after menopause.
• Do not smoke: Smoking has shown a higher risk of breast cancer in younger, premenopausal women.
• Eating fruits and vegetables: Many studies have suggested that a diet high in vegetables and fruit, and low in red meat, can lower the risk of breast cancer.
• Limiting alcohol intake: Alcohol has been linked with an increased risk, so choose not to drink alcohol or drink in moderation.

For more information on breast cancer early detection, risk factors, treatment, recovery, or free patient support, call the American Cancer Society anytime at 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

And for more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please visit nationalbreastcenter.org.