Breast Cancer Article
- Janaya Sade
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but it remains the leading cause of cancer mortality. The Alabama Cancer Statistics report recent cancer diagnoses, mortality, and trends in the state, broken down by cancer groupings, race, sex, and other demographic factors. Reports assist agencies and organizations in cancer prevention. In 2023, about 4,500 new cases of female breast cancer and 720 breast cancer deaths were expected in Alabama. Incidence rate in Alabama is 121.8.
Statistically, ACS exclaims that a woman’s average risk of developing breast cancer is 1 in 8, about 13. 1%. ACS estimates that about 316,950 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women. Regarding morality and racial trends, the risk of dying from breast cancer is 25% higher in Black women compared to White women. Black females in Alabama have a significantly higher breast cancer incidence rate than white females, representing a rate of 126.8 versus 119.4. In some cases, Black women experience higher mortality due to being diagnosed at a later stage, the cancer could be biologically more aggressive, etc.
ACS is involved in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides screening, diagnostic services, and referrals to treatment. The program attempts to reduce screening disparities among low-income and uninsured women. ACS tracks trends over time and publishes Facts & Figures reports informing public policy, guidelines, and research concerns. ACS' long-term goals are to work towards reducing mortality, disparities, and increasing access to great healthcare.
Some risk factors include high breast tissue density, reproductive history, increasing age, family history, or having inherited gene mutations (e.g., BRCA). One should also evaluate their lifestyle and consider excess weight, exercise, hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), alcohol usage, etc. ACS recommends screenings, such as mammography, to help detect cancers before symptoms develop. It would also be beneficial to consider genetic counseling/testing. Genetic counseling provides insight to patients and their families about family medical history and helps individuals understand conditions and risks.
Risk factors you can change include the following. Increase your physical activity, such as walking for 30 minutes. Women who are not physically active have a higher risk of getting breast cancer. Another change to make would be to decrease your hormone intake. Some forms of hormone therapy can increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Drinking alcohol and experiencing challenges with your reproductive health are also contributing factors to consider.
The American Cancer Society was created on May 22, 1913, previously known as the American Society for the Control of Cancer. A group of physicians and businessmen in New York City had a goal to increase awareness, extend research, and prevent cancer. ACS has contributed significantly to education, funding cancer research, and promoting screening and early detection in the past. For example, radical mastectomy ( removing the breast, chest muscle, and lymph nodes) was the standard practice by William Stewart Halsted, etc. Breast cancer treatment evolved significantly around the 1990s, following the discovery of gene mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2, which altered treatment approaches, prevention strategies, and more.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer forms when cells in the breast grow abnormally. Malignant cells form tumors, invading any tissue nearby. Breast cancer develops from milk ducts ductal carcinoma) or lobules (lobular carcinoma). Breast cancer is mostly a disease that affects women; however, men can develop it too. Breast cancer can affect 1 in every 726 men. According to the ACS, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the U.S.
ACS has reported that early detection and therapies have reduced mortality. Surviving breast cancer depends on various factors: the stage at detection, treatment and its quality, tumor biology, etc. A very common statistic about breast cancer is that when it is confined to the breast, a 5-year survival rate is often 99%. In the advanced stages or metastatic disease, the survival rate decreases, often indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and therapy. Disparities in survival are typically substandard for disadvantaged populations and racial minorities, and this could mean delaying diagnosis or access to high-quality healthcare.
For more information, please visit: About Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer Overview and Basics | American Cancer Society
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