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Breast Cancer
The numbers
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All women are at risk for getting breast cancer, and as you get
older, your risk increases. If you live to age 90, then your risk
of getting breast cancer over your lifetime is about 12%.
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During 2005, more than 211,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer
are expected to occur among U.S. women.
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Over 40,000 American women will die from breast cancer.
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Right now, there are more than two-million women living in the U.S.
who have been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer.
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Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer among American women
and is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths.
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women ages 40-59.
Sources: American Cancer Society; National Breast Cancer Coalition.
Risk factors for breast cancer you CAN'T change.
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Family history
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Age at first period
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Growing older
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Age at menopause
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Having had breast biopsies showing atypical ductal hyperplasia or
lobular carcinoma in situ
- Having had breast cancer before
Risk factors for breast cancer you CAN change.
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Stop smoking
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Exercise regularly
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Relieve stress
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Practice mindful measures, like yoga, meditation or
prayer
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Limit alcohol consumption to two drinks a week or
less
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Restrict red meat and other sources of animal fat
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Lose any extra weight
- If possible, have children earlier rather than later in life
Taking action
The Governor's Commission for Women co-sponsors an annual media event during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) with the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Foundation – Austin affiliate, the Texas Cancer Council and the Texas Department of Health. The event is intended to highlight the importance of women receiving a mammogram and regular breast examinations by a medical professional.
The Commission also displays a wreath decorated by breast cancer survivors during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Related resources
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Texas Cancer Council
The Texas Cancer Council is the state agency promoting cancer prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and awareness through collaborative projects and partnerships in the fight against cancer.
www.texascancercouncil.org -
Texas Cancer Data Center
The Texas Cancer Data Center is an information service, funded by the Texas Cancer Council and dedicated to empowering Texans with the knowledge they need to reduce the human and economic impact of cancer.
www.txcancer.org -
Texas Cancer Registry
The Texas Cancer Registry collects cancer data and maintains a quality statewide population-based cancer registry with complete, timely and accurate data for use by Texas healthcare practitioners, cancer researchers, health planners, the public and other government entities.
www.dshs.state.tx.us/tcr -
Breast Cancer Resource Center of Austin
The Breast Cancer Resource Center is a nonprofit organization created by breast cancer survivors to enable women to be active, knowledgeable participants in their healthcare.
www.bcrc.org -
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - Breast Cancer
The M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has been providing exceptional care for cancer patients since 1941.
www.mdanderson.org/diseases/breastcancer -
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has been a global leader in the fight against breast cancer for more than 20 years. Working through an affiliate network and events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, the foundation is fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by funding research grants and supporting education, screening and treatment projects.
www.komen.org -
Breast and Cervical Cancer in Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services administers the Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program. Local contractors around the state work to provide services, improve services and make services known to women with breast and cervical cancer.
www.dshs.state.tx.us/bcccp -
American Cancer Society - Breast Cancer
Learn about breast cancer risk factors, prevention, treatment and more.
www.cancer.org/docroot/lrn/lrn_0.asp -
breastcancer.org
breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most timely, reliable and complete information about breast cancer, in order to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast cancer, so they can make the best decisions for their lives.
www.breastcancer.org -
breastcancer.net
breastcancer.net is dedicated to providing the latest news about breast cancer research and treatment.
www.breastcancer.net -
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
Program
This program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works to provide critical breast and cervical cancer screening services to underserved women throughout America.
www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm -
FDA-certified mammography facilities
Lets you search by ZIP code for all mammography facilities within your area certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Certifying State.
www.fda.gov/cdrh/mammography/certified.html -
National Breast Cancer Coalition
The National Breast Cancer Coalition is a grassroots effort in the fight against breast cancer, working to eradicate breast cancer through action and advocacy.
www.natlbcc.org -
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
The Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization works to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, so no one faces breast cancer alone.
www.y-me.org -
Young Survival Coalition
The Young Survival Coalition is an international, nonprofit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters, dedicated to the concerns and issues unique to women under 40 with breast cancer.
www.youngsurvival.org