Main Street News

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has a goal to educate the public on risk factors, promote early detection through regular screenings, and raise funds for research. Its symbol, the pink ribbon, will pop up everywhere this month – from New York’s Empire State Building to beauty and cosmetic brands, from national retail chains and e-commerce sites to professional sports organizations, including the NFL, MBA, and beyond. Of course, the ribbon will also appear at healthcare locations from coast to coast.

This month, there are plenty of opportunities to join the pink-ribbon movement to raise funds, support those affected by breast cancer, and help ensure more individuals have access to the support and resources they need. 

Many groups including the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Susan G. Komen have coordinated resources and local community events as well. Look for some in your region by visiting nationalbreastcancer.org and komen.org, respectively. None in your area? There are also virtual events. 

Looking to host your own awareness event this October? Become an NBCF Community Ambassador to access free training, resources, and educational materials to help support breast health in your local community. For more, visit nationalbreastcancer.org

Mammos are key

Those at average risk for breast cancer should have a mammogram every year starting at age 40. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray picture of the breast used to detect early signs of breast cancer. A screening mammogram is a routine test for people with no breast symptoms to find cancer early before it can be felt, while a diagnostic mammogram is a detailed test used to check a new lump, or when there’s pain, nipple discharge, or an unusual spot found on a screening test.

Every year, women across America go for their mammogram exams. Often considered one of the most stressful healthcare visits of routine care, many women dread going. 

Beyond the fear of diagnosis, many women say they experience physical pain and discomfort as well as a surge of anxiety while awaiting the results. False positives (when a test incorrectly indicates the presence of disease that a patient does not have) from previous visits or past visits that induced pain only fuel the fear and anxiety.

The stats

According to BreastCancer.org, approximately 13% of women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. That also means that about 87% of women will never have breast cancer. A person’s risk changes based on age, family history, genetics, and lifestyle choices.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the US besides skin cancers. It accounts for about 1 in 3 new cancers in women each year. 

While advances in screening and treatment have reduced the overall risk of death from the disease, unfortunately the number of people diagnosed with breast cancer continues to rise. One report, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, revealed that breast cancer incidence increased by 1% per year between 2012 and 2021. According to BreastCancer.org, that uptick is largely driven by diagnoses of localized-stage and hormone receptor-positive disease.

The highest increases were in women younger than 50 years old (1.4% per year) and Hispanic (1.6% per year) or Asian American and Pacific Islander (2.6% per year) women. Researchers believe that some of the rising cases may be due to people getting less physical activity, drinking alcohol, and having fewer kids. 

BreastCancer.org states that this year, approximately 321,910 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 60,730 women will be diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is non-invasive (does not spread). It’s important to note that about 66% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage – before the cancer has spread outside of the breast – when treatments tend to work better.

Some more numbers: The median age at the time of diagnosis is 62, meaning half of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 62 and half are older. While historically breast cancer diagnoses have been relatively rare in younger women, cases have been rising in recent years. In 2024, researchers estimated that 16% of women with breast cancer were younger than 50 years of age. This year, about 42,140 women will die from the disease.

Risk factors

According to Susan G. Komen, the two most common risk factors are being born female and getting older. A woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative (a mother, sister, or daughter) who has been diagnosed. Approximately 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it.

Genetics also play a role. About 5% to 10% of breast cancers can be linked to known gene mutations inherited from one’s mother or father. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common.

On average, women with a BRCA1 mutation have up to a 72% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Women with a BRCA2 mutation have up to a 69% risk. Breast cancer that is positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations tends to develop more often in younger women. 

About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen during the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

Let’s talk about men

Though rare – the average lifetime risk of a man getting breast cancer is less than 1% – breast cancer can occur in men. In 2026, researchers estimate about 2,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men, and about 530 men will die from the disease. Black men have the highest incidence of male breast cancer and death. In men, BRCA2 mutations are associated with a lifetime breast cancer risk of about 6.8%; BRCA1 mutations are a less frequent cause. 

Prevention

While about 5-10 percent of breast cancer cases in the US are related to an inherited gene mutation, most cases are linked to other factors – including lifestyle. Susan G. Komen suggests a few ways to incorporate healthy habits, which could also lower your risk. Here are some tips. 

Keep trim: Being overweight or obese after menopause can increase a woman’s breast cancer risk by 30-60 percent. That’s because fat cells make estrogen after menopause, and higher levels of estrogen are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer after menopause.

Work out: Women who get regular physical activity have about a 10-20 percent lower risk of breast cancer than women who don’t. Fortunately, you don’t need an intense exercise routine to get the benefits. Activity equal to walking 30 minutes a day may lower your risk. 

Cut alcohol intake: One study found that women who had 2-3 alcoholic drinks per day had a 20 percent higher risk of breast cancer than women who didn’t drink. Women are advised to limit alcohol intake to less than one drink a day and men to less than two drinks a day.

Eat fruit and veggies: Studies show eating fruit and veggies may slightly decrease the risk of some breast cancers. Eat produce high in carotenoids, the natural orange-red food pigments found in melons, carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. Studies show women with high blood levels of carotenoids have a decreased risk of breast cancer. In general, fruits and vegetables are the best sources of carotenoids (rather than supplements) as supplements may have some health risks.

Limit saturated fat and trans fat: The types of fat we eat may play a role in breast cancer risk. A study of nearly 320,000 European women pointed to a slight correlation between breast cancer incidence and a high intake of saturated fat, which is abundant in foods such as red meat and full-fat dairy. Trans fats, frequently found in baked snacks and other processed foods, may also raise breast cancer risk. While dietary fats undergo further study, consider opting for the healthy unsaturated fat found in food such as nuts, seeds, olive and canola oils, avocados, and fatty fish.

Be smoke-free: Tobacco smoke has at least 250 harmful chemicals, at least 69 of which have been shown to cause cancer. There’s growing evidence that smoking may slightly increase breast cancer risk. If you smoke, there are health benefits to quitting at any age. Stopping, or not starting, is one of the best things you can do.

Breastfeed if you can: Breastfeeding has many positive benefits for women throughout their lives. In addition to reducing the risk of breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women, studies show it lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes and ovarian cancer.

Finally, limit the hormones: Menopausal hormone therapy is approved for short-term relief of menopausal symptoms. Women who take estrogen plus progestin to relieve these symptoms increase their risk. Fortunately, when they stop MHT, their risk declines, returning to normal levels within 5-10 years. If you are considering MHT, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Destress before the test

Fortunately, there are ways to make the mammogram experience less stressful. First, ask a trusted person to go with you for emotional support in the waiting room. Some friends book their appointments together, so they have a buddy with them in the waiting room and on the commute to and from the appointment. Wear a separate top and bottom so you only need to remove your shirt, and remember not to wear deodorant, lotion, or powder, as these can show up on the X-ray. 

While at the appointment, tell the staff if you feel nervous so they can walk you through each step gently. Breathe deeply. Focus on slow inhales and longer exhales to release tension in your shoulders. And remember the actual scan takes only 10 to 15 minutes. Attach a fun reward to your mammogram routine – go shopping; indulge in your favorite costly coffee; or schedule a post-test manicure and pedicure, massage, or chill yoga class. Finally, try to view mammograms as part of your regular health routine. •