Breast Health Resources

Am I at Risk for Breast Cancer?

All women are at risk for breast cancer. Being a woman is the number one risk factor for breast cancer.

Your breast cancer risk increases as you get older. Most women who get breast cancer have no other known risk factors.

Although breast cancer is more common in women over the age of 40, younger women can also develop breast cancer.

Men and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer in men include: nipple discharge (usually bloody), nipple inversion, breast lump, and occasionally, local pain, itching and pulling sensation. The survival rate of men and women is comparable by stage of disease at the time of diagnosis. However, men are usually diagnosed at a later stage because they are less likely to report any symptoms. Treatment of breast cancer is the same as treatment for female patients and usually includes a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.

Learn the Facts

• An estimated 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2007. An estimated 40,460 women will die from breast cancer. It is estimated that 2,030 men will be diagnosed and 450 men will die of breast cancer during 2007. In addition to invasive breast cancer, 62,030 new cases of in situ breast cancer are expected to occur among women in 2007. Of these, approximately 85 percent will be ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
  Source: American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2007.
• Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women.
• When breast cancer is found early (within the breast), your chance for survival is the greatest.

Fear will not defeat this disease. Have the courage to take charge of your health. Get Connected! Get informed.